UK: Analysts about UK malting barley crop

Muntons PLC reported to E-Malt on July 28, 2005 that despite some interruptions because of rain, the majority of the winter malting barley crop in the East Anglia has been combined.

Buying for use their Stowmarket Maltings, Mike Norfolk, Muntons Grain Manager said, ”This has to be one of the better harvests for a while. As far as our contract winter malting barleys are concerned every sample has passed. Quality is good and prospects are excellent. ”

“In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Pearl malting barley has again performed well,” commented Bridlington Grain Manager, Mark Ineson. “Flagon has also been a success with excellent quality and nitrogen levels”

Around 70% of East Anglian winter malting barley crop and 50%of the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire crop has been harvested. One or two spring barleys are now appearing but it is too early to comment although prospects look good at this stage.

There are reports that malting barley in the south of England is less good than in the rest of the country but this represents only a small percentage of the requirements of the UK malting industry and is unlikely to cause any supply difficulties.

03 August, 2005