across the malting barley supply chain could see a "spike" in prices over the coming months, as demand grows, according to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
Quality issues across the 2010-11 season crop mean that many maltsters are being forced to stretch out their supplies in anticipation of a better October crop.
This is particularly the case in China, the world's largest malting barley buyer, according to the CWB, although the organisation notes that this is becoming a global problem.
However, this has created a "limited upside for old crop sales".
In its February 2011 Pool Return Outlook, the CWB noted: "The 2011-12 harvest is expected to be met with a lot of pent up demand for malting-quality barley, so if there are any production or quality issues that develop with new crop production, prices could spike significantly."
Meanwhile, world prices for feed barley have slumped, with the CWB indicating that leading buyer Saudi Arabia has yet to begin a new round of purchasing of the new crop.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the farming industry includes; Elevators – bucket elevators – valves
