Domestic EU malt markets for crop 2004, delivery 2005, are slow to start. That is understandable, said the analysts, because the EU comes from an extremely bad crop year into - as it is hoped – a normal one. Prices of malting barley of new crop are lower than those of old crop barley, but brewers hope they will go lower still. Maltsters find it difficult to speculate on lower markets five to six months before harvest. Early sales were done at price levels above EUR 290, average price, delivered brewery. But meantime offers declined to levels around EUR 270, and two larger brewing groups have requested offers.

02 March, 2004