UK: Barley crop results variable, experts forecast shortage of preferred distilling quality barley

United Kingdom’s barley crop estimate is 6.7 mln tonnes, of which 4.1 mln tonnes spring barley, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their latest report earlier in September.

Great Britain and Ireland have received more rain than the rest of Europe, and much of it at harvest time. Barley crop results are variable, and the harvest, as of early September, was not finished yet.

According to the Gauger analysts, lower yields, high protein contents, sprouted grains will reduce the selection of quality barley. British traders have repurchased earlier sales to the continent, and export forecasts have been drastically reduced. Scottish distillers will not easily find their preferred varieties with low enough protein, the analysts said.

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