The main contract barley variety of Raisio Malt, the largest Finish malt producer, this year is Scarlett, Saana being number two and Barke number three. The area for Barke is increasing considerably. The total barley area in Finland in 2003 is about 550 000 hectares.

In the main grain growing area in Finland sowings have been delayed this spring. Malting barley was sown about two weeks later than normally. After the sowings the conditions have been good with some long-needed rain. The plant stands look good. At the moment the outlook is positive, much depends of course on the weather conditions during the next few weeks.

Raisio Malt is Finland´s largest producer of brewing malt, with an annual capacity of 105,000 tonnes. The company has 38 employees, all committed to serving the customers. Raisio Malt forms one part of the Raisio Group a leading Finnish foods, animal feeds and paper chemicals enterprise. The Raisio Group invests heavily in research and product development, and its products are sold all over the world.

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