Malt market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese malt market opened the period at 3 205 thousand tons in 2018, a year when the country was already a major producer with low production costs and prices significantly below imported malt. Market volume then fell by 15% to 2 727 thousand tons in 2019 before rebounding sharply by 61% to 4 383 thousand tons in 2020.

After climbing further to 5 068 thousand tons in 2021, the market contracted by 40% to 3 052 thousand tons in 2022. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with volume growing 61% to 4 924 thousand tons. The Ukraine war's impact on global barley supplies introduced uncertainty into the supply chain during this period. Concurrently, the industry saw rising malt exports to Southeast Asia and Africa, while domestic producers focused on efficiency gains and began catering to increased demand for high-quality malt from the craft and premium beer segments, trends that continued into 2024.

Production malt in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of malt by volume.

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, China's malt production rebounded. In 2020, China produced 4 744 K t of malt, representing a significant 48.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 206 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decrease, China's malt production value rose. In 2020, the output of malt in China was valued at 2 104 M $ US, marking a 40.3% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 13.7%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 500 M $ US, and the largest decline took place in 2018 with a decrease of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports malt from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's malt exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 373.0 K t, reflecting a 23.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 489.2 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, the Philippines, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were the primary destinations for China's malt exports in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 26.1% of exports, the Philippines for 14.5%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 9.9%, collectively representing 50.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, China's malt exports in value terms declined. In 2020, China exported 165.5 M $ US of malt, showing a sharp 27.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 228.9 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 26.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The composition of China's malt exports by value from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Thailand accounted for 25.6% of exports, the Philippines for 14.2%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 10.1%, together making up 50.0% of total flows. The remaining 50.0% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports malt to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's malt imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 12.2 K t, indicating a substantial 15.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 164%, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Australia, and Belgium were the key sources for China's malt imports in volume terms. Germany contributed 38.5% of imports, Australia 28.6%, and Belgium 18.7%, together accounting for 85.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

China's malt imports in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, China imported 8.2 M $ US of malt, reflecting a robust 14.9% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 149.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Australia, and Belgium consistently served as the main sources for China's malt imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 40.0% of imports, Australia for 26.5%, and Belgium for 15.6%, collectively representing 82.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020