Ireland: Irish Malt Growers association aiming at becoming an active stakeholder organisation within malting barley sector

Irish Malt Growers (IMG) will become an active stakeholder organisation within the malting barley sector, according to the new pressure group’s Chairman Tom Cushen quoted as saying by Agriland.

“And this means having an active input into the setting of future contract prices,” he said.

“Members have not yet decided on how this matter will be approached. Our primary objective is to attract as many malting barley growers into our ranks as possible.”

Cushen confirmed that the new organisation has already attracted 180 members from counties Wexford, Laois, Carlow and Kildare.

“Our aim is to grow this figure to around 330 over the coming months, which will work out at around two thirds of the malting barley growers in Ireland,” he said.

Cushen said that malting barley prices for this year are ranging between €160/t and €170/t.

“In reality, growers need to be getting around €200/t in order to remain viable,” he said.

10 June, 2015