EU: Malt supplies reduced further by shutdowns in South Germany and reported slowdowns of maltings in Slovakia

Shutdowns in South Germany and reported temporary slowdowns of maltings in Slovakia reduce the EU’s malt supplies further, even though it is not for very large quantities, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their October report.

EU malt exports were 2.45 mln tonnes in 2021/22 and 500,000 tonnes from July, 1 to September, 26, almost unchanged from the same period last year. The largest customers are Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, South Africa. The UK booked 23,000 tonnes from the continent, mainly, but not exclusively HDP malt for Scottish distillers.

The price of energy has increased maltsters' margins per tonne from former lows of EUR80 to various levels within the EUR200-300 range. On the average, mostly nominal prices of 2RS malt, ex works, for delivery in 2023 are EUR750-800 per tonne in the EU consumption centers. A small relief for customers comes from lower ocean freight markets, bulk and container freight rates dropped strongly; the IGC bulk freight index to 162 from a high of 267 during the past 12 months.

The U.S.$ strength has shifted (temporarily?) the competitiveness of export markets from the U.S. to the rest of the world.

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