GREENCORE MALTING Group is to shut its Carnoustie, Dundee, malting plant at the end of this year.

Group communications director Jonathan Grant-Nicholas blamed declining domestic demand and slower exports to Eastern Europe and Russia for the closure of the 30-year-old plant, which had been processing about 40,000t a year.

Up to 12 employees could be made redundant.

NFU Scotland‘s policy manager, Peter Loggie, hoped nearby facilities would take up the surplus grain, but said the move would be a blow to local farmers hoping to supply the plant over the coming season.