Spring barley report Europe
With exception of France and Great Britain, almost all regions in Europe complain of drought during the growing season. Impact on yields is already noticeable. How far qualities will be affected remains to be seen. The risk of high protein content exists.
France is represented with less acreage of spring barley this year. However, with 64 per cent, the proportion of malting barley could turn out higher than in 2017. As a result of abundant rainfall, yields develop well. In the United Kingdom, lower yields are expected because of later sowing, above-average rainfall and even failure of acreage. The acreage in Denmark is significantly expanded for difficult sowing conditions in autumn. Delays in sowing of two to four weeks and the lack of rain during the last weeks led to the presumption of negative effects on yields already in the beginning of June. In general, conditions in Scandinavia and the Baltic were not perfect. Too little rain and high temperatures have affected the plants after sowing. Another factor is that in Denmark mainly certified seed was brought out but, due to the large acreage, the most important types of brewing barley were sold out. In Sweden, yield expectations are also reduced with each additional warm day. Although there are regional differences, it is no longer assumed that normal yields will be available in almost all regions; in particular, early sowing locations are affected. In Finland there is talk of a small acreage restriction because of low yields and the change to legumes. High temperatures and dry conditions caused a rapid but uneven development of the plants.
After regionally suboptimal and delayed sowing conditions, spring barley in Germany is now affected by drought, particularly in the north and northeast. In Lower Saxony, barley suffers despite irrigation. In Saxony, drought led to thin plants on short stalks. Later rainfall could lead to second growth. In the west and southwest it was too cold and too wet initially. The plants only partially suffer from drought there; all in all, they are good. In the south it rained time and again, so the situation is relaxed. Baden-Württemberg, for example, reports healthy plants; drought-induced damages occur only regionally. The Braugerstengemeinschaft e.V. in Munich assumes an average harvest in Germany.
Many regions of Austria are suffering massive drought problems. After a further drought-induced crop failure in some regions, it is assumed that the acreage will be reduced again in the coming year. In the Czech Republic, at best, an average harvest is expected after the hot months of April and May. Yields are estimated to be lower than in other years and, without significant rainfalls within the next weeks, there is risk of high protein levels. Slovakia and Hungary show a similar picture. Wet and cold weather conditions also characterized sowing in Poland. Especially the plants on weak soil suffer from drought. Weak yields and a 20 per cent smaller harvest are thought to be possible.
In the meantime, these difficult prospects for the coming harvest are reflected in increasing prices. Effects on qualities still remain to be seen. For the new harvest, the willingness of farmers to sell is very small. The premium for feed barley lies at a considerable EUR 30.00 to EUR 40.00/t. Winter brewing barley can compensate for parts of the failure of spring barley. Brewers demand these goods for the second half of 2019.
