The IGC (International Grain Council, London) estimates world malt trade in 2003/04 at 4.3 million tonnes, unchanged from a year earlier, although 200,000 tonnes below the level of 2001/02. Largest increases are seen in Southeast Asia. In a study of the Canadian barley market, the U.S. analyst Sparks expects an increase of 2.5 million tonnes malt and malting barley usage in Asia by 2010, 60 % in China and 40 % in other countries. The figure seems more than exaggerated, but it confirms, anyway, the good trend prevailing in that part of the world, analysts commented.

04 June, 2004