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Those in the industry say last weekâs decision will benefit the hundreds of boutique breweries and distilleries that dot the landscape, particularly in regional areas. But while it will allow them to employ people, buy more kit and enter the market, the industry says it will unlikely bring down prices.
Jon Lark, founder and brand ambassador for Lark Distillery in Tasmania and the former head of the Ada, says the decision was more about making it easier to start up a new business or grow an existing one.
âItâs the one thing thatâs held our industry back from growing more than it has done until now,â Lark says. âThere was a distiller in South Australia who was addressing a group of people, saying I just wanted you to know that I got an order from one of the big liquor companies, and I turned them down.
AustralianFarmers
Breweries of all sizes are increasingly dealing direct with barley growers and the simplified trading method is paying off for farmers like Chris and Samantha Greenwood.
Brewing giant Asahi made headlines recently when it re-wrote its supply chain arrangements so it could source 90 per cent of its malting barley direct from growers in New South Wales and Victoria.
This means Asahi will now source 40,000 tonnes of barley direct from seven growers in southern New South Wales with northern New South Wales growers expected to sign on before this year’s harvest.
A further 40,000 tonnes is also being sourced through 30 Victorian growers.