Malting Barley in the EU - Final report
Even the good qualities in France were impaired by the small amount that was harvested.
The whole harvest of this year is significantly smaller than the one from 2009. In Denmark the acreage was enlarged because of winterkill, against the general development.
The wet weather conditions during the time of harvest also destroyed the hope for better results in this country. In the end the yield is about as high as it was last year.
The share of malting barley cannot compensate these results. Especially the germination was a reason for the disappointing qualities this year. Nevertheless, market experts expect a surplus of approximately 350,000 t. Huge differences regarding the sowing dates and the hot summer in Finland led to a differing image of the qualities in this North European country. Also the market observers of Sweden are expecting problems with the processing of the barley due to germination. Nevertheless they are expecting a small surplus of malting barley of approximately 100 000 t.
Great Britain and Ireland are exceptions this year because though they reduced their acreage their qualities are good. Yields, that are lower than the results of 2009 but still have good qualities are expected to have a surplus of approximately 250 000 to 400 000 t. The little output in the Netherlands is also due to smaller acreage and not to lacking qualities. The expected problems in the east and the south-east of Europe were proved right at the end of the harvest. In Austria is the talk of weak yields and qualities. Low yields and small amounts of whole grain and protein also distinguish the barley in Slovakia. In the Czech Republic the quality is nearly comparable to the one in 2009. Both countries have an import demand of up to 100 000 t. The harvest in Hungary is rated as average. Protein values and screening are not too good. Russia reports that the protein values were too high and the screening is too small caused be the drought in the summer.
The reasons that the farmers plant less spring barley are unsatisfactory prices and attractive alternatives of growing. Even though the European maltsters might be provided well- partially from the yield of 2009- market participants are expecting a tight supply situation next year.
However the demand also depends on which qualities of the harvest in 2010 will be accepted from the industry. This is why it is hard to determine an accurate amount of malting barley this year.
