EU: The EU malting industry was expected to be in deep trouble because of extremely low sales prices for 2005 and the added malt capacities in the EU, Russia and Ukraine, industry analysts posted in a statement. In the first half of 2004 exports went well, and most maltsters report small malt stocks to-date. Barley markets dropped to levels, which reduced or even abolished foreseen financial losses. As beer sales look very good in Southeast Asia and South America, the situation of the EU malting industry looks more optimistic. “But is the major crisis only postponed?”

24 October, 2004