EU: Maltsters and grain growers have met to discuss the possible effects of the European Unions common agricultural policy change on cereal supplies, Business Scotsman revealed on December 9. Effectively, farmers union leaders asked the Maltsters Association of Great Britain to give "clear and positive" price signals to farmers who, from next year, do not have to grow grain to get a single farm payment.
David Houghton, NFU Scotlands combinable crops chairman, said on December 8 that their case has been given added weight by a forecast 20 % drop in Englands winter barley area. There could be a similar slump in Scotland if malting prices stay low. Houghton said that maltsters shared farmers concerns: "They, too, face price pressure further up the chain. But they can do what farmers cant and pass their costs down. If we dont receive a price that reflects production costs and allows for reinvestment, what do we gain by another year of cereal growing?
E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .