Malting-barley growers supplying merchants for Boortmalt have been informed of prices this week, with the Irish Farmers Journal understanding that the harvest price will be announced at €218.75/t.
It is understood this price is determined by an average of a weekly Free-On-Board Creil malting-barley price recorded over the season, following a deduction of the €10/t “parity charge”.
This price is also subject to a levy of €1.05/t. This brings the price to €217.70/t.
Fixed-price opportunity
Growers and merchants did have opportunities to fix the price of barley during the season at €225/t for up to 40% of their contracts. If a grower did avail of the €225/t on 40% of their contract, their average price would equate to €220.62/t, although uptake among growers was reported to be low.
It should be noted that contract tonnage reduced across the board this year. Distilling contracts, which offer another €10/t, were not available.
It means many farmers will be paid more for their rejected malting barley than the barley that passed for malting.
The Boortmalt price comes in just below the Tirlán malting-barley base price of €218/t announced on Monday, even before the Tirlán €10/t trading bonus is added.
Boortmalt had no comment to make when contacted.
SHARING OPTIONS