Germany & UK: Malt industry analysts about factories shutdowns
In view of the existing and growing overcapacity in the malt industry, analysts point out that they have seen permanent and temporary shutdowns of factories in several countries. In the U.K. demand of malting barley was 1,935 Mill. tons in 2003/04, but only 1,770 Mill. tons in the past crop year, malt production will drop by 130.000 tons. German statistics show that malt production in July-April 2004/05 fell from 1,682 to 1,580 Mill. tons, all of the reduction took place in January- April. In Germany we see 5 factories with a total capacity of 130-140.000 tons closed permanently or at least for a longer term.