The Czech Republic exported 180,000 tonnes of malting barley in 2002, Slovakia 160,000 tonnes. Exact figures of the Russian malt production for 2003/2004 are not available; imports were 550,000 tonnes in 2002. Barley deficits in Russia and Ukraine are hypothetical figures, based on EU quality standards. As domestic barleys have a great price advantage, the industry will accept wrong proteins, germination and sanitary condition in order to minimize expensive imports.

30 December, 2003