Under 30 cents for the producer price on barley, battle for malting in Europe

The article provides an overview of the price trends and market dynamics for various barley types, soft wheat, and corn in Europe, with a focus on the challenges faced by the beer industry due to rising costs and potential production issues. It highlights the dampened price recovery of fodder and malt barley following a good harvest in Bulgaria and anticipated Ukrainian stocks, against a backdrop of high fluctuation in soft wheat and corn prices. The article also notes the impact of the energy crisis on breweries and beer prices in Europe and Ireland, where a leading malt buyer, Boortmalt, is reportedly considering reducing premiums to barley producers to offset energy costs. Furthermore, the article discusses the global barley market, which is expected to see a decline in production and consumption for the 2022-2023 marketing season, with Russia's harvest being a significant factor. Overall, the article underscores the complex set of challenges facing the agricultural and brewing sectors, including production adjustments, energy impacts, and global market trends.