Germany: Spring barley harvest expected to fall 3.3% this year

Germany's harvest of spring barley, largely used for malt and beer production, will fall 3.3 percent on the year to around 1.72 million tonnes, the German Brewing Barley Association said on July 27.

"German brewing barley experts now expect the 2017 harvest to be average and healthy," the association said in its first harvest forecast.

In German regions with early plantings, the harvest began in mid-July, the association said.
"The harvest was also briefly interrupted by heavy rain during the last week of July," it said. "Therefore, in late-harvest areas, the harvest is not expected to be completed until Aug. 2."

It added: "Overall, the amount of available German brewing barley is estimated to be roughly the same as last year's level. However, carry-over stocks are not at the same confidence-inspiring level they were only a year ago."