Analysts have posted the latest malt production figures. France registered about 1.4 million tonnes of malt in 2003/04, about unchanged from a year before. In July 03/May 04 Germany output about 1.854 million tonnes of malt versus 1.851 million tonnes last year. UK barley usage July/ June 2003/04 1.939 million tonnes (1.962).

Malting margins of the EU malt industry remain at unrewarding, counter-margin levels. An improvement can only come from more factory closures and a commercially firmer stance of the industry.

10 September, 2004