The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has requested that Boortmalt remove the €10/t surcharge on malting barley purchased in 2026, national grain chair John Murphy has said following a meeting with Boortmalt on Wednesday.
Murphy said current low moisture levels in the crop significantly reduce the cost of handling malting barley, fully justifying removal of the surcharge.
“The shift upward in grain prices over the last couple of weeks has pushed Irish feed barley prices into a more positive space.
Premium prices are marginal
“FOB Creil malting barley prices have also gained in recent weeks but not enough to offset the much lower prices recorded at the start of the price averaging period in April and May,” he stated.
“This means that the premium between malting barley and feed barley is potentially very small in 2026.”
The chair added that the FOB Creil market has delivered satisfactory premiums, averaging more than €50/t for Irish malting barley over Irish feed barley since its first use as a mechanism in 2019, but to now see the gap narrow so significantly in 2026 is very disappointing for growers.
Bleak economic situation
“Tillage incomes are set to take another battering in 2026 owing to significant increases in fertiliser, fuel and land rent.
“When moderate spring barley yields are factored in, the economic situation is extremely bleak, and many will be strongly questioning the future for growing grain in Ireland,” John Murphy said.
Concluding, Murphy said that the removal of the €10/t charge in 2026 would be a significant financial help to tillage growers and show a strong commitment from Boortmalt to Irish farmers during a difficult time for the sector.
SHARING OPTIONS