SCOTCH whisky remains an iconic brand in the global food and drink market.
The industry's principal raw material is spring barley, most of which is grown on Scottish arable farms from the Borders to the Black Isle.
In recent years, ex-farm prices have fluctuated: in 2007 they hit a peak of close to £180 per tonne fo
r the very best samples, but last year anything close to £140 per tonne was deemed a good price.
Most crops are now grown on contract for dedicated buyers, and many farmers are currently in a state of limbo, with merchants unwilling to say how much they will pay next harvest.
John Picken, the chairman of NFU Scotland's combinable crops committee, said: "This is unacceptable and challenges the aim of establishing long-term, reliable partnerships in the distilling and malting chain. If growers are considering putting in spring barley for malting, then it is only fair that they are given a fair steer as to the price they will receive if they successfully grow and harvest the crop.
"We need those who buy malting barley on contract to show the colour of their money – and quickly."
Growing malting barley can be an expensive business and some agronomists predict that costs for 2009 will be at record levels, given the price of fertiliser, seed and fuel. Unless farmers are assured of a worthwhile premium, they might well be advised to go for maximum yields and then sell on the feed market.
NFUS has already made representations to the usual buyers, but is still awaiting firm commitments on purchase intentions.
Picken said: "Growing on a whim no longer makes good business sense. Hence the urgent need for the trade to end the uncertainty by bringing forward their malting barley contracts for this year's harvest."
