EU: Overview of EU malt market standing

EU Barley malt production in 2005 was still 8,4 Mill. Tons, but factory closures in France, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.K. plus temporary shutdowns of some German industries will reduce EU malt production substantially.

According to analysts� data, the estimated EU 2006/07 malt production amounts for about 8,035 Mill. Tons, compared to 8,768 Mill Tons total EU malt capacity, thus indicating a severe malt surplus. An uncertain figure is the average malt use in beer, which is very different from country to country.

The figures officially provided do not take into account the temporary closure of the Weissheimer in Hungary and the risk of a temporary shutdown in Germany as well. Any longer production pause could bring EU production down to dangerously low levels.