The summer 2018 in the Nordic European countries was one of the warmest and driest ever recorded. Under these conditions, malting barley crops were setting fewer and shorter ears, which resulted in bold kernels, good calibration and high test weights but unfortunately also the yields and protein levels were negatively affected. Malting barley prices have reacted for the weather worries and lowered supply.
The harvest in Denmark was done in good and dry conditions, approximately two weeks earlier than normally. The average reported yields for Denmark are 3.64 mt/ha which is 64% compared to the 5-year average. Large number of barley samples have already been analyzed and average moisture level is low, at 12.8%. Screening is quite good considering the dry and hot conditions. Average protein level is reported to be high, close to 12.0%. However, with the large total crop of spring barley, a large part of the crop is still expected to be malting quality with protein level in range 11.0-12.5%.
In Sweden, there was 50% larger area of spring barley compared to 5-year average, but the excess is disappearing by yield losses up to 50% and high protein levels. Harvest in South Sweden is already finished, close to finished in West and East and ongoing around the Lake of Mälaren. Barley is with nice color, germination and calibration but proteins at the high side.
In Finland, dryness and heat hit the crops already during the sowings, causing losses both to ear and kernel number. Midsummer rains saved the crop from dying to drought, but spring barley has been maturing unevenly because of the second and third generations. In Finland, we are still in the middle of the harvest and having only quality results from the first cuts available, but the expectations are for the wide range of proteins and partly small kernels. 
The harvest in Poland is close to done according to the reports in mid August. Yields in all regions have lowered up to 35% of 5-year average. The prevailing drought in the region had a significant impact on the increase of protein. In the recent weeks, rainfall in the South-East region of Poland has also deteriorated grain quality in terms of the growth of mouldy grains and Fusarium.
In Lithuania, the spring barley area increased by 40% in 2018, suggesting a record output of malting barley. Unfortunately, crop yields were lowered on average with 30% due to the drought. Also in Lithuania, the protein levels in general are higher than normal but considering the fact, that there was nearly no rain between mid June and the harvest, the results are satisfactory.
Even though we have a challenging year in front of us, with some flexibility from our customers we are confident that we will be able to satisfy our customers’ need for required malt volume and quality during 2019.
Read more:
Barley Viking Malt Countries Presentation Crop 2018 August 2018_c