EU: Barley varieties in 2005 in Germany and other EU countries

Scarlett barley variety is the No. 1 in France sharing its dominance with the Prestige variety. The areas of Cellar cultivated have fallen. Cultivation of the Astoria variety has virtually ceased; it has been completely driven out by Sebastian, Global Malt group and Schill Malz have published in their technical report from November 2005.

In South-West Germany, Auriga and Braemar are now established among the standard varieties. The cultivation of Scarlett has more than halved compared to last year and the variety is noticeably on the retreat. The areas of Barke in the Hunsrück and Eifel regions have also declined. Pasadena, which had already fallen in popularity last year, now plays no part in South-West Germany.

In South-West Germany, the Auriga and Braemar varieties have clearly established themselves as a popular consumer product in Eastern Germany. While Barke and Pasadena are still among the important cultivated varieties, the retreat of Scarlett is clearly noticeable here as well.

In Northern Germany, in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, the Barke variety remains dominant. Braemar is also widely cultivated and the Class and Troon varieties appear to be gaining ground. In Mecklenburg-West Pomerania - as last year – mainly Pasadena was cultivated.

In Poland there are no significant changes in barley cultivation. As last year, Brenda, Scarlett, Barke and Madonna were the principal varieties grown and we accepted these at our plant in Bydgoszcz.

A little further north in Europe, in Denmark, Prestige is the principal variety grown. Class, Power and Barke also showed strength.

In North-West Europe, in England and Wales, Optic and Cellar were the most popular varieties. The same applies to Scotland, although the relationship between the two varieties there clearly shifted to Optic.

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