UK: Malting barley premium returns to historical average

UK’s malting barley premium has continued to come under pressure since it was last reported in September, falling back from the highs seen last year. Ample supply and relatively weaker demand are both key factors weighing on the premium this marketing year, AHDB reported on October 30.

On Monday, October 28, the latest Corn Returns reported ex-farm premium malting barley for spot delivery at £175.40/t, while ex-farm feed barley was reported at £153.10/t, offering a premium of £22.30/t. This is starkly lower than last year, where the malting barley premium for October delivery was £71.25/t on average. However, 2023 was an exceptional year, the current premium is more of a return to the historical average as opposed to being historically low.

The release of the English and Scottish cereal production figures confirmed expectations of a larger spring barley crop, both reported greater than their five-year average by 3% and 7% respectively. The UK’s barley crop is estimated at 7.2 Mt (4.8 Mt spring barley and 2.4 Mt winter barley), up from last year’s production of 7.0 Mt. In addition to greater supply, the spring crop also benefitted from more favourable weather during its development, leading to better quality too.

As reported in the 2024/25 Early Balance Sheet, domestic demand from the brewing, malting, and distilling (BMD) sector is expected to decline on the year following weaker consumption as well as maintenance for current production sites.

The latest UK human and industrial cereal usage report shows that the barley usage across the BMD sector is 8% down on the year for July and August. However, it’s worth mentioning that last year was an exceptionally strong start for the BMD sector, at 321 Kt for July and August, the greatest usage for that time frame since at least 2000. So far, barley usage for the BMD sector is more in line with historical demand.

Given some strength in the EU malting barley market, and relatively low price in the UK, the export market is offering support to the premium. However, the recent strength in sterling over the euro is limiting how much support this market can offer.

Therefore, considering the current ample supply of malting barley and weaker BMD sector on the year, it is likely that the malting barley premium will continue to price at the historical average. If the premium contracts further, there is an increased likelihood that barley of malting specification could be used for animal feed as the risk of rejection and potential cost implications may exceed the return from the premium for some.

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