Nearly every craft maltster has been impacted in some form or another by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to the results of an industry survey conducted by the Craft Maltsters Guild (CMG) in late March. On March 19th, the federal government classified craft malthouses, which are part of the food and agriculture production system, as "critical infrastructure" amid the pandemic.
The nonprofit trade organization represents the interests of small-batch, independent maltsters across North America and beyond. CMG shared the survey results Friday, April 3. Thirty-three craft maltsters responded to the survey. The results showed, like their brewery and distillery customers, the craft malthouses who responded were also experiencing unprecedented economic hardships.
"Slower beer sales, canceled events, and closed taprooms are having ripple effects on the rest of the supply chain," says Jesse Bussard, CMG's executive director. "The rapid closing or restriction of breweries and distilleries pivoting to produce hand sanitizer have drastically reduced sales of craft malt, as well as slowed production at many malthouses."