EU & World: The risk of further increases in malt prices is hanging on

Inside the EU Germany and the U.K. still have a large open malt demand. Prices were around the mark of EUR 400.- at the end of October, but run the risk of further increases after the new price explosion in barley markets.

In international markets Taiwan issued a purchase tender for 64,000 tons of malt, Vietnam is looking for several 10,000 tons. Most other buyers are interested in smaller lots, because they need additional quantities after excellent beer sales, or they keep testing the market in disbelief of the situation.

Russia and the Ukraine are lucky to have become almost self-sufficient over the past years, however, Russia will need some small imports during 2007.

China managed to establish itself as a malt exporter, helped by lack of attractive offers from other origins, but their dependence on imported barley will restrict also their possibilities in the months to come.