Russia is forecast by International Grains Council (IGC) to import 0.63 million tonnes of malt in 2004/05, significantly less than last year’s 0.77 million. Early shipments from the EU have been substantial, but became uncertain following a recent phytosanitary ban on all agricultural products from Germany, Europe’s leading malt producer. Additionally, new malting facilities will substitute domestically produced malt for imports, IGC said. However, with continued growth in beer demand, expected to increase by 5% in 2005, imports as well as increasing domestic malt production will be necessary to meet growing demand.

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