Quality of malting barley grain in the Czech Republic, harvest 2025

Within the framework of malting barley quality monitoring, the quality of malting barley from the 2025 harvest in the Czech Republic was evaluated in relation to the course of the growing season, which was characterised by pronounced climatic stress, particularly prolonged drought and elevated temperatures. A total of 216 barley samples were analysed, demonstrating significant regional variability in key quality parameters, especially protein content, the sieving fraction above 2.5 mm sieve and Falling number. Although the majority of samples met the requirements for basic physical parameters, approximately 46% of the samples did not comply with the prescribed protein content range (10–12%), predominantly due to low protein levels. From a technological perspective, the harvest was characterised by very good germination capacity, optimal moisture values and an overall good health status of the grain. The occurrence of pre-harvest sprouting was recorded only in a small proportion of samples, mainly in regions affected by interrupted harvesting. Despite the fact that only 36% of the samples complied with all requirements of the Czech standard ČSN 46 1100-5, the overall technological potential of the 2025 malting barley harvest can be assessed as favourable, with good prospects for malting and brewing applications.