EU: For the first time in years the early malt buyers were right
Many brewers had a problem to realize that the new malt price levels are likely there to stay for the crop year of 2006/07, market analysts commented on August 1. After a few years of ever dropping malt prices, their budgets were prepared too early and the cost of malt was estimated far too low.
For the first time in years the early buyers were right, and those who hesitated must pay up. Total quantities of malt still to be covered by the large brewing groups and a number of large overseas customers are very sizeable indeed, it is even a question, whether we shall return to a relaxed supply situation during 2007.