Malts Market Report 2026

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.

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