French malt producers warn of massive threat from energy crisis

PARIS (AA) - French malt producers issued a warning Friday on the dramatic effects of the energy crisis on their profession.

In a press release, the union of malt producers in the country said producers were "already weakened by the Corona crisis in 2020 and the consequent increase in the price of barley in 2021." Now, the energy crisis has hit the industry, it said.

Highly energy-intensive, malt production is heavily dependent particularly on gas costs for heating and drying the grain.

France is the top exporter of malt in Europe and the second-largest in the world, with around 85% of French production destined for export to other EU nations, as well as Africa, Asia, and South America.

Producers now fear a decline in competitiveness and massive losses in international market share. In its press release, the union called for access to state aid to be simplified.