Irish grain growers warn malting barley margins could turn negative

The Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) says tillage farmers “cannot be expected” to grow malting barley without a meaningful financial reward.

The IGGG warns that growers face “an extraordinary situation this harvest”, with prices for malting barley – traditionally a premium crop – potentially falling below those for spring feed barley.

According to the group, producing malting barley involves additional risk and cost, including the need to grow specific varieties, meet strict quality specifications and accept the possibility that the crop may not achieve malting grade and be paid for as feed.

The IGGG has called on Boortmalt to remove its €10 per tonne handling charge, arguing that the charge is eroding the margin gap between malting and feed barley and could lead to feed barley offering higher returns for farmers.

The association stresses that Irish‑produced barley and wheat are essential ingredients in the country’s valuable drink exports, and that a premium product must command a premium margin per hectare. It urges buyers to act now on malting barley pricing for 2026.

Industry impact

The IGGG notes that the current pricing situation could affect Ireland’s malting, brewing and distilling sectors, which rely on domestically grown barley.

Source: Agriland. Photo: Sergej ***** / Pexels.