Demand has increased for Alberta’s malting barley industry.
Malting Barley. (Photo/Optimist1)
Statistics Canada says the province’s farmers grew 4.4 million tonnes of barley last year, which accounts for half of the national total. The Canadian Grain Commission says that livestock feed accounted for 55 percent of the area seeded, compared to 44 percent for malting barley.
In a news release, ATB financial says the increase in malting barley production is due to the province’s growing craft beer industry, which uses malt barley to make the product.
The bank says the cycle of local production and consumption as supported a craft beer renaissance in the province, which they say is poised to continue growing and contributing to Alberta’s economy.
StatsCan also says that Alberta leads the nation in malt exports, accounting for 53 percent of the national total, accounting for a total of $241-million. 41 percent of Alberta’s malt exports go to the United States, while 37 percent head to Japan.
– Posted by BET
