Malts Global Market Report 2026

Malt is defined as a cereal grain that undergoes germination through soaking in water and subsequent kiln-drying in a hot oven. This process is crucial in brewing and distilling. The transformation of cereal grains, such as barley, into malt suitable for use in food, beverages, or distillation is referred to as malting.

The primary types of malts include liquid extract, dry extract, and malt flour, sourced mainly from barley, wheat, and rye. Liquid extract denotes a separation technique where a solute is moved from one solvent to another, with the two solvents being either immiscible or only slightly miscible. Distribution channels encompass both online and offline methods and find application in various sectors, including the beer industry, whisky distilleries, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the malts market by increasing costs of imported barley, processing equipment, and energy-intensive malting inputs used across liquid extract, dry extract, and malt flour production. Europe and North America are most affected due to cross-border grain sourcing and export-oriented malt trade, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on specialty malt imports. These tariffs are influencing pricing for brewers and food manufacturers. However, they are also encouraging regional barley cultivation, domestic malting capacity expansion, and localized supply chain development.

The malts market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides malts market statistics, including malts industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a malts market share, detailed malts market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the malts industry. This malts market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The malts market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.25 billion in 2025 to $10.96 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of beer and whisky consumption, growth of commercial brewing operations, increasing use of malt in food processing, availability of high-quality barley supplies, development of industrial malting facilities.

The malts market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.69 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing growth of craft brewing and distilling, rising demand for premium malt ingredients, expansion of malt use in functional foods, increasing investments in sustainable grain sourcing, growing digitalization of malt production processes. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for specialty and craft malts, rising adoption of sustainable malting practices, expansion of malt applications beyond brewing, growing focus on quality and consistency control, enhanced traceability in malt supply chains.

The rising consumption of beer is expected to drive the growth of the malts market going forward. Beer is a carbonated alcoholic beverage brewed and fermented from cereals, typically malted barley, and flavored with hops and other ingredients to impart bitterness. Malt, a specially prepared grain, is a crucial component in beer production, particularly in craft brewing, making the increase in beer consumption a key driver for the malt market. For instance, in August 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a US-based Department of Health and Human Services, reported that in 2024, 85% of adults aged 21 and older had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime. Therefore, the growing consumption of beer is propelling demand in the malts market.

Major companies in the malt market are increasingly adopting a strategic partnership approach to enhance their product portfolios. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For example, in August 2023, Voyager Craft Malt, an Australia-based independent malthouse, collaborated with Cryer Malt, a supplier of brewing ingredients based in Australia, to introduce Dexter Malt. This malt is made from fully certified sustainable Australian barley and features a light caramel malt profile that enhances flavors in brewing and distilling. Produced in small batches by Voyager Craft Malt in Whitton, NSW, it emphasizes the use of local, single-origin grains. This collaboration showcases the innovative synergy between Voyager Craft Malt and Cryer Malt, combining artisanal production with decades of expertise in brewing ingredients, ensuring quality and sustainability for Australian brewers.

In November 2023, Malteries Soufflet, a malt manufacturer based in France, acquired United Malt Group Ltd. for $1.5 billion. This acquisition is intended to create a leading global platform by merging the complementary assets and capabilities of both companies. The merger will enhance their geographical reach and operational capacity, positioning them as a dominant force in the malt sector. United Malt Group is a malt manufacturing company based in the United States.

Major companies operating in the malts market are Crisp Malting Group Ltd., Muntons Malt Plc, Malteurop Group, Cargill Inc., GrainCorp Malt, Boortmalt, Rahr Corporation, Malt Products Corporation, Simpsons Malt Ltd., Viking Malt Group, Pure Malt Products Ltd., Imperial Malts Ltd., Diastatische Producten BV, Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., IREKS GmbH, Weyermann Specialty Malts, Bairds Malt Limited, Great Western Malting Co., Soufflet Group, Axereal Group, Thomas Fawcett & Sons Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the malts market in 2025. The regions covered in the malts market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the malts market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

The malts market consists of sales of base malt, lager malt, pale ale malt, pilsner malt, and more. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Malts Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses malts market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for malts ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The malts market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Liquid Extract; Dry Extract; Malt Flour
• 2) By Source: Barley; Wheat; Rye
• 3) By Distribution Channel: Online; Offline
• 4) By Application: Beer Industry; Whisky Distilleries; Food And Beverages
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Liquid Extract: Light Liquid Malt Extract; Dark Liquid Malt Extract
• 2) By Dry Extract: Light Dry Malt Extract; Dark Dry Malt Extract
• 3) By Malt Flour: Whole Grain Malt Flour; Specialty Malt Flour
• Companies Mentioned: Crisp Malting Group Ltd.; Muntons Malt Plc; Malteurop Group; Cargill Inc.; GrainCorp Malt; Boortmalt; Rahr Corporation; Malt Products Corporation; Simpsons Malt Ltd.; Viking Malt Group; Pure Malt Products Ltd.; Imperial Malts Ltd.; Diastatische Producten BV; Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.; IREKS GmbH; Weyermann Specialty Malts; Bairds Malt Limited; Great Western Malting Co.; Soufflet Group; Axereal Group; Thomas Fawcett & Sons Ltd.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Italy; Spain; Canada
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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