Eastern & Central EU: Reports showing very large import demand for barley

Reports from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Central Europe and the Balkan show a very large import demand of 2rs and 2/6rw winter barley, close to 1 mln tonnes. Luckily Poland and the Czech Republic harvested good quantities and qualities, which reduces the gap of malting barley in the East/Central EU, H. M. Gauger GmbH said earlier in September.

French and Danish imports are almost excluded due to huge freight rates and low water levels hindering river transportation. The situation is desperate enough that maltsters talk about usage of compromise and feed barleys. A bit of relief may arrive from imports from Ukraine. In the worst case production will be run down, enlarging the shortage of malt supplies.

Slovakia already reports partial shutdowns of maltings, which cannot afford the energy prices for their malt production. And Hungary reports a virtual export stop of grains, even to EU countries and against EU rules. Sellers must demand a permit for export business and have to wait for weeks for approval or refusal.