Grain Alcohol Global Market Report 2024

Grain alcohol is a distilled neutral spirit produced through the fermentation of various grains such as corn, rye, wheat, grapes, and others. It serves as a base for the production of other alcoholic beverages such as wine, vodka, homemade liqueurs, and more. Grain alcohol is essentially a purified form of ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, neutral grain spirit, or rectified spirit.

The primary sources for producing grain alcohol include sugarcane, grains, fruits, and other raw materials. Sugarcane-based grain alcohol is typically prepared by fermenting either sugarcane juice or molasses diluted with water, including the addition of yeast to facilitate sugar fermentation. There are different types of grain alcohol, including ethanol and polyols, which find applications in beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and various other industries. Grain alcohol serves various functionalities such as acting as preservatives, coloring/flavoring agents, coatings, and more.

The grain alcohol market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides grain alcohol market statistics, including grain alcohol industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with grain alcohol market share, detailed grain alcohol market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the grain alcohol industry. This grain alcohol 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 grain alcohol market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.88 billion in 2023 to $14.58 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. The growth observed in the historic period for grain alcohol can be attributed to several key factors. These include the traditional use of grain alcohol in beverage and spirits production, a global demand for alcoholic beverages and spirits, the cultural significance and consumption of spirits in various regions, the expansion of the craft distillery and artisanal spirits industry, and regulatory policies and licensing for alcohol production and distribution.

The grain alcohol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.47 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period for grain alcohol can be attributed to several factors. These include increased consumer interest in premium and high-quality alcoholic beverages, ongoing innovation in flavored and infused grain alcohol products, a rising demand for ethanol in industrial and pharmaceutical applications, a focus on sustainable and organic grain sourcing for alcohol production, and the emergence of new markets coupled with an increase in the affluence of middle-class consumers. Major trends expected in the forecast period include the popularity of flavored and infused grain spirits, the rise of barrel-aged and specialty releases, the influence of cocktail culture and mixology, the growth of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and a focus on local and terroir-driven spirits. These trends collectively contribute to the projected growth and evolution of the grain alcohol industry in the specified period.

The surge in the consumption of alcoholic beverages is a driving force behind the growth of the grain alcohol market. This increase in consumption can be attributed to various factors, including a rise in disposable income and a growing urban population. According to NHS Digital, a UK-based government agency, data from December 2022 reveals that 79% of participants admitted to consuming alcohol in the preceding 12 months, with 49% doing so at least once per week. These numbers are expected to rise in the future, emphasizing the upward trajectory in the consumption rate of alcoholic beverages, consequently propelling the grain alcohol market.

Anticipated growth in global beer production is set to further boost the grain alcohol market. Beer production involves the fermentation of malted grains, typically barley, along with hops, yeast, and water. Grain alcohol, with its highly purified and neutral properties, serves as a key ingredient in beer production, contributing to flavor, aroma, body, preservation, and carbonation. Notably, reports from Brauwelt International, a Germany-based brewing journal company, state that global beer production reached 1.86 billion hectoliters in 2021, marking a 4% growth compared to 2020. This substantial increase underscores the significant role of grain alcohol in the beer production process, driving the overall growth of the grain alcohol market.

In response to the heightened demand for high-purity alcohol, major companies in the grain alcohol market are strategically focusing on business expansion. A noteworthy example is Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), a US-based manufacturer and marketer of corn-based products. In February 2021, GPC inaugurated a large, efficient distillery in Muscatine, Iowa, designed for high-purity alcohol production. With a capacity of up to 1 million gallons per year, this distillery stands as one of the largest and most efficient in the US. The expansion required extensive engineering efforts and leveraged the expertise of GPC's workforce to enhance the production of value-added components from maize kernels, meeting the growing demand for high-purity alcohol.

Major players in the grain alcohol industry are strategically adopting partnership approaches to broaden their offerings and services through collaborative efforts. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. In a notable example from October 2022, Pernod Ricard, a France-based liqueur company, entered into a strategic partnership with Sovereign Brands, a US-based spirits company. The objective of this collaboration is to access a portfolio of rapidly growing premium spirits brands, enhance their presence in the US market, and expand their grain alcohol portfolio with a focus on super-premium spirits brands.

A significant strategic move occurred in April 2021 when MGP Ingredients, Inc., a US-based distributor of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, acquired Luxco, Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition aligns with MGP's long-term strategy, emphasizing the shift toward higher value-added products and diversification of the business portfolio. Luxco, a US-based company, holds a prominent position as a leading producer, distributor, importer, and bottler of beverage alcohol products. This acquisition further strengthens MGP's position in the grain alcohol industry by expanding its capabilities and product offerings through collaboration with Luxco.

Major companies operating in the grain alcohol market include Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Cargill Inc., Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Roquette Frères SA, MGP Ingredients Inc., Cristalco SAS, Wilmar International Limited, Manildra USA, Glacial Grain Spirits LLC, Wuliangye Yibin Co., Diageo PLC, Altria Group Inc., Pernod Ricard SA, ChemCeed LLC, Ethanol US, NuGenTec LLC, Pinal Energy LLC, Pacific Distillery LLC, Teichene SA, Duplais Verte, La Fée Absinthe, Kübler Absinthe Superieure, Hill's Liquere North America, La Clandestine, Doubs Mystique, Butterfly Absinthe, Lucid Inc., Metelka AS, C.F. Berger Ltd., Jade Nouvelle Orleans

Europe was the largest region in the grain alcohol market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the grain alcohol market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the grain alcohol market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The grain alcohol market consists of sales of polyols grain alcohol and ethanol grain alcohol. 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.


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