World: Malting industry enjoying good activity and demand

The world malting industry experiences an exceptionally good activity and demand, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their March report.

The beer output has increased only by a small fraction. Reasons for the larger malt use are the worldwide success of craft beer, the large output of premium beer, alcohol-free beer and beer cocktails, a larger whisky production, not only in Scotland, and a steadily increasing malt use for a large variety of “food” purposes. Of course, exceptions still exist in structurally weak locations of Russia, China, and North America, the industry observers point out.

In the Western European Union, capacities are sold well into 2020, up to two thirds of the year. Sales have started as well for 2021. New capacities are needed and do not disturb sales patterns and malting margins. There is speculation of temporary shortages of malt, right now quite a few maltsters have to turn down brewers‘ malt inquiries, industry sources said.