Specialty Malt Market Report 2026

The specialty malt market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.84 billion in 2025 to $4.06 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of brewing and distilling industries, increasing consumption of malt-based beverages, growth of artisanal food production, rising demand for flavor differentiation, availability of diverse malt varieties.

The specialty malt market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.1 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing innovation in specialty malt processing, rising demand from craft beverage producers, expansion of non-alcoholic malt applications, growing focus on premium ingredient sourcing, increasing adoption of customized malt solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for craft and specialty beverages, rising use of flavor-enhancing malt ingredients, expansion of specialty malt applications in food, increased customization of malt profiles, enhanced focus on quality and consistency.

The growing popularity of craft beer is expected to drive the growth of the specialty malt market in the coming years. Craft beer refers to beer produced by small, independent breweries that typically operate on a limited scale compared to large commercial brewers. In the brewing process, malt provides the carbohydrates necessary for fermentation and enhances beer quality by contributing to mouthfeel and lingering malt sweetness. Malt also contains various nutrients, including silica and vitamin B, which are present in higher levels in beer than in wine or other spirits and are retained throughout the brewing process. As a result, increasing consumption of craft beer is boosting demand for specialty malts. For instance, in August 2024, according to William Reed Ltd., a UK-based media company, the number of active craft breweries rose from 9,339 in June 2023 to 9,358 in June 2024, indicating continued expansion of the craft beer category. Therefore, the rising demand for craft beer is driving growth in the specialty malt market.

Key players operating in the specialty malt market are focusing on product development and innovation, including the introduction of new single malt whisky offerings that emphasize unique flavor profiles and sustainable production practices. Malt whisky is a type of whisky produced primarily from malted barley at a single distillery and is known for its depth of flavor and complexity, typically matured in oak barrels for at least three years. For example, in July 2024, Holyrood Distillery, a UK-based whisky producer, launched Ambir, a product that delivers a complex flavor profile by blending heritage malts with innovative production techniques. The whisky reflects a connection to traditional craftsmanship while offering a distinctive option for consumers seeking premium and flavorful spirits.

In March 2023, Malteries Soufflet, a France-based international malting company, acquired Castle Malting for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Malteries Soufflet aims to strengthen its position in the craft beer segment and broaden its portfolio of specialty malt products. The move also aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives and efforts to expand its global footprint within the brewing industry. Castle Malting is a Belgium-based malting company that specializes in producing high-quality specialty malts designed to enhance beer flavor, color, and aroma.

Major companies operating in the specialty malt market are Muntons Malt plc, Malteurop, Weyermann Malting, Castle Malting, Briess Malt & Ingredients Co, Simpson’s Malt, Crisp Malting Group, Boortmalt, Soufflet Group, Great Western Malting, Thomas Fawcett & Sons, Rahr Corporation, IREKS GmbH, Viking Malt, Dingemans Malt, Franco-Belges Malting, Mouterij Dingemans, BestMalz, Avangard Malz, Holland Malt.

North America was the largest region in the specialty malt market in 2025. The regions covered in the specialty malt 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 specialty malt market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The specialty malt market consists of sales of light munich malt, dark munich malt, dextrin malt, wheat malt, rye malt, and naked oat malt. 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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