EU: No malt market as maltsters’ stocks estimated to have been almost completely sold out

There is presently no malt market, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their March report.

In the EU guesstimates are that maltsters have sold between 90 and 100% of their capacities. Brewers in Europe and abroad are well, but not fully covered in old crop barley.

Many maltsters and brewers rely on early harvests and early germination of harvested barley. Business in straight sales or LTA covers for 2023 has been close to zero so far. Maltsters have no barley prices, must calculate an unknown increased cost of energy, higher freight tariffs and the threat of ever higher fees and taxes. Brewers must count on very high malt prices, besides price rises on almost every part of their production cost.

Reports are that there will be open old crop malt demand in other continents, particularly in North America. There is also the possibility that Russian and Ukrainian export contracts will not be fulfilled and must be replaced by other origins.

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