Namibia: Namibia Breweries Ltd assessing the possibility of growing its own malting barley

Namibia Breweries Limited is assessing the viability of growing its own malting barley as world prices for grains soar, New Era communicated on March, 18.

The brewer of world-famous Windhoek Lager and Heineken, Namibia Breweries Limited together with specialists at the University of Namibia and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry have been to various parts of the country for a best place to grow barley.

The team was also joined by German-based suppliers of malting barley, it is reported.

Heineken and Diageo own minority shareholding in Namibia Breweries Limited and have a second brewery in South Africa through a South African registered joint venture company.

Beer brewers the world over, especially microbreweries, are under threat from rising grain prices, as production levels have declined in the last two years. This year’s weather conditions in Canada, Australia and the US threaten to cut production further.

Namibia Breweries Limited says it would make an official detailed announcement on its plan soon.

18 March, 2011