Article
Seed of hope for barley producers
Published: 03/11/2025
A new R2 billion malting facility, set to purchase 70 000 tonnes of barley next year, sparked lively debate during a panel discussion at the 2025 NAMPO Cape. This major investment could signal a turning point for South Africa’s barley industry, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.
Johan Lusse, general manager of grain and grain services at Overberg Agri, noted that the company has been involved in the barley value chain for more than four decades. Despite difficult times, Overberg Agri has no intention of exiting the industry. “Barley must be carefully stored in silos to preserve its quality,” Lusse explained, adding that honesty and clear communication are essential in this niche industry.
Barley is typically stored for around a year before use, during which germination poses the greatest threat, because it could render the grain unusable. “This risk is one of the main reasons producers often opt to plant wheat or canola instead,” Lusse said.
Jeremy Antier, managing director of Soufflet Malt South Africa, provided more insight into the new malting facility under construction in Johannesburg. The facility will process locally grown barley for clients such as Heineken. If all goes according to plan, the first 70 000 tonnes of barley will be purchased next year, with the goal of producing 100 000 tonnes of malt annually by 2027. – Susan Marais, Plaas Media