CropCast Conversations – The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian South, Executive Director of The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB). MAGB are the trade association of the UK malting industry and represent over 98% of UK malt production, buying around 2 million tonnes of UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt. Mark and Julian discuss harvest 2025, barley varieties, tariffs and trade deals and opportunities for the industry.

Episode Timestamps 

01.38 Background and structure of MAGB
04.43 What is malt?
06.59 Distilling malts and brewing malts
07.50 Harvest 2025 round up
16.12 Evaluating and approving new barley varieties for malting
23.31 International Barley Hub
26.00 Biggest challenges for the malting barley industry
29.47 International trade
33.25 Tariffs and trade deals
35.04 Peat as a flavouring for malt
37.10 Finding out more: www.ukmalt.com
38.25 The malt industry in 10 years time

Resources   

The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

Malting Barley Committee – The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

Contact: Julian South: 07967452838, julian@magb.org.uk

SRUC – Soils & plants – Recommended lists

SAC Recommended Lists for Cereals 2025-26

International Barley Hub – The James Hutton Institute 

Mycotoxins – The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot
Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot