Warsaw, September 24, 2025 — Poland should strengthen cooperation between farmers, maltsters, and breweries to secure sufficient supplies of brewing barley and reduce dependence on imports, according to the latest report from the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). The regulator recommends closer partnerships, knowledge transfer, and the use of producer groups to improve efficiency and bargaining power across the supply chain.
“Poland has the potential to expand and diversify malt production, but this requires tighter cooperation with domestic barley growers and better support for cultivation. Contracts that clearly define rights and obligations can form the basis of long-term relationships,” said UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny.
Despite being one of Europe’s largest beer producers, Poland faces persistent shortages of high-quality brewing barley. The number of farms cultivating barley fell from nearly 492,000 in 2005 to 190,000 in 2020, while the acreage dropped by 37% between 2000 and 2024. Domestic malt output, concentrated in four foreign-owned plants, meets only half of demand, leaving breweries dependent on imports—98% of which are sourced directly by brewers.
UOKiK also flagged potentially unfair contract practices in dealings between large buyers and smaller grain suppliers. Issues included price-setting methods, payment terms, and certain clauses that may run afoul of Poland’s law against abuse of contractual advantage in agricultural trade.
Poland produces about 3.4 billion liters of beer annually—over 10% of total EU output—ranking third behind Germany and Spain. The malt report builds on UOKiK’s 2023 analysis of the beer and hops market, offering legal and systemic recommendations aimed at improving transparency, reducing disputes, and ensuring competitiveness in one of the country’s key food industry sectors.
Source: https://uokik.gov.pl/krajowy-rynek-slodu-do-produkcji-piwa-raport-uokik
