In 2003 Russia produced about 500 thousand tonnes of malt, while Russian brewers required 1.3 million tonnes of malt, local analysts revealed. According to them only 15 regions of Russia have favorable climat conditions for growing malting barley. Now about 70% of brewing barley is imported from Europe. Buying foreign barley Russian brewers lose about US$ 100 million per year; meanwhile buying national one the brewers save US$ 50-100 per tonne of malt, Russian experts said. They added that by 2010 the problem of barley shortage is going to be solved and Russia could even export malting barley.

Regarding hop, Russian brewers need about 12 thousand tonnes per year, however only 700-1000 tonnes of hop are produced in Chuvashia. Because of climat conditions Russia cannot stop importing this product.

25 March, 2004