Sweden: The new estimate for Swedish 2004 crop is 280,000 tonnes of screened malting barley, Viking Malt posted in its last report. This early estimate has now been reduced due to low yields and lower calibration. The small deficit can easily be covered from neighbouring areas. Sweden’s two main barley areas, mid and south of Sweden, are this year somewhat reversed. The outcome is the opposite of normal regarding quality and quantity with high yields and low proteins in the mid of Sweden and the opposite in the south.

The estimated time for harvest of malting barley in Sweden is 100-120 days after sowing. For 2004 the malting barley harvest was completed around two weeks late, in the beginning of September. The breakdown between varieties is still on the same levels as before. Major varieties are Barke, Pasadena, Astoria and Prestige.

24 October, 2004