Malting barley shortfall carries premiums higher.

The article reports on the rise of malting premiums amid a possible shortage of malting barley in Great Britain. It notes that winter and spring crops were affected by poor yields and high nitrogen contents. Spring malting varieties are valued at around 50 pounds/ton (t) over feed while winter malting varieties are at 35-40 pounds/t premium. Ian Backhouse of the National Farmers Union (NFU) urges growers to inform their merchant about the possibility that crops will fail to meet specification.