Grain of leading UK spring malting barley variety, Laureate, historically largely only traded domestically, has seen increased interest in European malting markets, industry experts are reporting.

And with a surge in UK spring barley plantings expected in 2024, after the wet autumn halted winter wheat drillings, export potential could be particularly handy this season, says Tracy Creasy, cereals asset manager for Europe North for the variety’s breeder, Syngenta.

“The UK was our first focus when developing Laureate,” says Mrs Creasy, “but over recent years European interest in Laureate has blossomed. We’re now at a point where, as well as full approval for brewing and malt distilling on the UK’s Malting Barley Committee (MBC) approved list, Laureate has approval in two major European malting barley systems: the Danish Preferred System and the Comité Bière Malt Orge (CBMO) in France.

“Three years ago Laureate wasn’t a dominant variety for export. Now, buyers are asking for it, after it gained these latter two approvals in 2018. If demand continues, it gives UK Laureate growers the potential of four end markets – UK malt distilling, UK brewing, feed, and potentially export to Europe.”

Although most Laureate in Europe is currently used for brewing, there is growing interest in whisky production on the Continent, says Mrs Creasy, with France one of the world’s biggest whisky consumers. As well as performing well for end users, another reason for increased European interest has been Laureate’s consistent on-farm performance, Mrs Creasy believes.

Jonathan Arnold, trading director for grain trading company, Robin Appel Ltd, agrees European approvals open up more potential for UK Laureate growers, and that the variety has become more requested.

Laureate exports have probably been assisted recently because more is being grown in the UK, he says, so there is a bigger pool to choose from. “We have more Laureate, especially in the south,” says Mr Arnold. “Farmers who grow it have a foot in both camps – brewing and distilling.

“The UK generally exports about 250,000 tonnes of malting barley annually, maybe up to 400,000 tonnes in a good year. This compares with total UK malting barley purchases of about 1.9 million tonnes.”

Chris Colley, feed and malting barley trader with ADM Agriculture, suggests export offers potential opportunities for growers in the South of England in particular, because of easier access to ports.

Although not exclusively, he says the export market is increasingly leaning towards Laureate. Exports of malting barley are also tariff-free, he notes, and ADM has organised boats of Laureate to Europe this winter.

“Laureate has been marketed for export for some time but is starting to win favour with some buyers,” reports Mr Colley. “We have customers who have been asking for Laureate specifically over other varieties. The export market is supply and demand driven. Laureate is still the leading spring barley variety grown on-farm in the UK, so when trading it for export it’s readily available.”