EU: Malt exports good till May but started to fall off sharply in June this year

EU’s malt exports had been good till May of this year, but started to fall off sharply in June, H. M. Gauger GmbH reported earlier in September.

In July/August, 240,000 tonnes were exported to third countries, 28% less than a year ago.

In the meantime maltsters report good, almost regular call-offs in domestic markets, and exports recovered surprisingly well to Latin America, Africa, somewhat less well to southeast Asia.

It is rumoured that recent Australian sales to Asia for shipment in 2021 amount
to 150 – 200,000 tonnes, while the EU sold much less, guesses are in the five-digit-bracket.

Thailand expects a drop of 7-8% in beer sales during 2020.

Both Australia and the EU report sales to Brazil, where beer sales were impacted much less than feared, minus 2% (reportedly) during the 2nd quarter of the year.

EU malthouse shutdowns in spring and early summer were rather modest, and by now most maltsters seem to have almost returned to a good capacity usage. Nevertheless EU maltsters still hold rather large stocks, and their barley procurement is cautious, uncertainty remains about beer sales and malt demand during the coming winter. EU beer production in 2020 is thought to be 6 – 8% lower than last year.

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