IFA Malting Barley Committee Meet with Boortmalt

Commenting after a meeting between Boortmalt representatives and the IFA malting barley sub-committee in Athy on Monday of this week, IFA Grain Chair John Murphy described the discussion as a frank exchanges of views. 

A key item on the agenda was the recent announcement by Stradbally Town and Country that they will not be offering contracts to growers this year.

“We pointed that whatever commercial issues there are between Boortmalt and Stradbally Town and Country, it is the local farmers in the firing line,” he said.

Boortmalt were clear that they wanted to intake malting barley from all growing regions, including Laois. Boortmalt also committed to taking the Laois winter malting barley crop that is already in the ground for harvest 2026.

Following the meeting, Boortmalt met specifically with IFA representatives from Co. Laois. They outlined some of the business rationale behind the recent decision but to discontinue is malting barley contract with Stradbally Town and Country. 

Laois IFA Chair Henry Burns said Boortmalt must find a workable solution for growers in Stradbally.

“Stradbally is at the heart of malting barley growing for generations. They cannot be cast aside like a pawns in a game of chess.”

“The sowing season is rapidly approaching, farmers need a solution as a matter of urgency and fairness,” Henry Burns said. 

Other topics discussed included: market outlook; fixed price offers; and grower communication. 

Demand for malting barley remains in a challenging place and particularly for distilling. Contracts for growers will be for brewing only. Boortmalt confirmed that the first fix price offer will be presented to the merchant network shortly.

“Boortmalt also acknowledged that more transparency is needed in its communication with its supply chain network. This must be followed through because the current method of communication is not working,” John Murphy concluded.