World: Malt markets inactive in May due to corona pandemic

The corona pandemic impacted beer and malt demand very much. Markets were inactive during May, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their June report.

According to industry sources, Europe reported pricing of large quantities long-term agreements for malt deliveries for 2021, but no new sales. Southeast Asia secured 20 – 30,000 tonnes of European and Australian malt.

Brewers, maltsters and barley trade negotiated and concluded some washouts and many agreements of deferred deliveries. Most existing contracts could be saved. The deferred deliveries will, of course, reduce the volume of new sales for next year. Large quantities for delivery in 2020 had already been booked before the time of the corona crisis.

European beer sales may have been at their lowest level in May, the industry hopes that sales will start to improve in June. Whisky distilling had also slowed down temporarily, but the production losses seem to be modest.

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