In a season where alcohol demand was affected by coronavirus containment measures, the demand for barley for malting has been questioned since planting.

But nature intervened to limit supply, thus directly affecting growers and maltsters. The potential supply shortfall may now result in imports, but the ongoing demand for malt will be the key to this.

Last week, Boortmalt indicated that it accepted 60% of the malting barley presented, but there was also quite a proportion of the crop not delivered due to the inevitability of rejection.

This could mean that nearly half the contracted tonnage did not make malting premium this year. The high level of rejections was caused by skinning, poor germination capacity, and high protein.

The situation was somewhat similar across the Glanbia catchment.

55% of requirement

A spokesman indicated that it will barely meet 55% of its malting barley requirement to supply the Malting Company of Ireland (MCI). The main rejection issues involved damaged grains, disease, and low specific weights.

However, the Dairygold catchment fared much better, with over 85% acceptance for malting (with a push) according to a co-op spokesman.

Rejection leaves a potential deficit in malting barley supply, but the necessity for imports will depend on how the demand for malt picks up as COVID-19 restrictions are loosened.