Diageo has sparked anger among Irish malt growers by importing grain used for Guinness from a British supplier.

The drinks giant admitted it had received a shipment of malt from Norfolk-based Crisp Malting Company last week, prompting condemnation from Irish grain suppliers who, only last year, were protesting about the low prices Diageo was paying for the Guinness ingredient.

Diageo told the Irish Farmers’ Journal the Irish malt had failed to meet its quality standards, forcing the company to source elsewhere.

Gráinne Macken, head of corporate communications at Diageo, added that 90% of malt was sourced in Ireland and “our commitment in this regard is unchanged”.

But a spokesman for the Irish growers denied the grain was of poor quality and said the move to British wheat had “a lot more to do with price” than quality and could harm the Irish appeal of Guinness worldwide.

The decision marks the latest blow for Irish grain farmers. In February, 600 Irish barley farmers saw their contracts with Greencore terminated following the sale of its malt division to French company Boortmalt.

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