EU: A further reduction of malting barley plantings is likely

Sweden expects an increase of 10 % to 340,000 ha, Finland a reduction of 10 % of malting barley varieties, Poland does not expect much of change, which means about 1 Mill: HA of spring barley, however, only 70 – 80,000 ha of malting varieties.

Acreage changes in the other EU countries will be minor and of no great importance to the S/D balance of malting barley in 2007/08.

Altogether a further reduction of malting barley plantings is likely, no relief to markets is within sight. Maltsters would like to rebuild their inventory by buying supplies for 13 to 14 months, which is seen as another support to markets.

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