As the harvest season approaches, we’re sharing our Crop Update – an early look at how this year’s barley crops are developing across the regions. Earlier this month, our CEO Wiebke, head of malting Wouter, and quality controller Ranjan travelled through the provinces of France to assess the fields firsthand. Field conditions have varied widely, and while some challenges have arisen, there are also promising signs. Here’s what we’re seeing so far for both spring and winter barley.
Spring barley
The spring barley initially showed strong early development, taking off well in the favourable conditions of early spring. However, the past few weeks have tested the crop’s resilience, with persistent drought and a series of storms affecting several growing areas.
While the extent of the impact remains to be fully seen, we are cautiously optimistic. We anticipate higher protein levels this season and a slightly elevated gelatinisation temperature compared to the 2024 crop. One key factor this year is the regional variability – homogeneity between plots is strongly dependent on local weather and soil conditions.
To ensure we secure only the highest quality barley, our field trip was essential for selecting the most promising lots. More insights to come once we begin intake!
Winter Barley
The outlook for winter barley is more encouraging. The crop has performed well throughout the season, benefiting from stable weather during critical growth phases. Yields appear promising, with a larger average grain size than last year and signs of strong, even ripening.
Harvesting has been well underway over the past few weeks, and early indicators suggest good quality winter barley. As always, we’ll carefully evaluate the malt quality once the grain is in storage.
Crop Update – What’s Next?
We’ll keep you informed as more detailed lab results and crop samples become available. Once the barley is in and analysed, we’ll share insights on processing parameters and suitability for different malt types.
Thanks for staying tuned for our Crop Update. We’re committed to keeping you ahead of the curve with quality updates and transparent reporting.
