By Wendell Roelf

CALEDON, South Africa (Reuters – South African Breweries is part of Anheuser Busch InBev and hopes new, drought-resistant varieties of barley will allow it to maintain record levels in its main domestic beer market, as well meet the demand from other parts, officials claimed.

World’s biggest brewer bets on hi-tech, natural cultivars in Africa to eliminate malt and barley shortages. This will help with expansion plans.

“No beer without barley. It is therefore crucial to ensure a stable supply of barley,” stated Josh Hammann (AB InBev’s Africa director for agricultural development and sustainability).

Researchers believe that South Africa’s dry conditions could lead to a decrease in barley production due to the global warming. Caledon is South Africa’s largest growing region. AB Inbev converts barley into barley at its 180,000 tonne flagship factory.

Malt imports from Europe are currently limited to situations where local production does not meet the quality criteria or where there is crop failure because of drought. Officials from the company said that the goal is to export more malt in the future as the barley harvests increase and Africa becomes the primary export market.

Hammann stated that AB Inbev exceeded its target to produce 475,000 metric tons of barley by 2021 using drought-resistant barley. A record 560,000 tonnes harvest was achieved during the 2020 rainy season.

Hammann said to Reuters that it was important for AB Inbev “to localise production and raw materials… to mitigate against global risk.” He spoke to Reuters from Caledon where wind-swept fields of barley are ripening in October.

Researchers are also testing new cassava and maize crop cultivars in order to address the opportunities for spirit brewing in Tanzania and Mozambique. Kadie, the latest barley strain, is being praised by scientists. This cultivar has a high yield potential, high kernel plumpness, and ripens much faster than most varieties from dry lands.

Daniel de Klerk from the research center, a tiny breeder, stated that the new variety is “quick, short, and has the X factor.” Officials say Kadie may be considered for Budweiser use and, if successful in testing, could eventually become the first African variety to be used for this popular American brew.