EU: Regarding barley crop 2006, brewers and maltsters covered at least a one month demand less than in normal years

Old crop barley markets are completely dormant; there is no further demand and few, mostly unattractive offers, market analysts commented May 2nd.

“We will never know exactly, how the large deficit of crop 2006 was covered, but there exist incredible stories about sprouted barley, FAQ (=feed) barley, barley sold and transported from one corner of Europe to another, and also imports, from Argentina, Uruguay and Ukraine.

France had a very good crop last year and finally delivered large quantities of spring and winter barley to the EU deficit countries. Maybe most important, brewers and maltsters covered at least a one month demand less than in normal years, hoping for a better supply and offer of barley of crop 2007.