Malt market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the malt market volume in Denmark grew from 86.7 thousand tons to 102.2 thousand tons. This increase was driven by rising consumer demand for local craft beer with lower alcohol content and an organic profile, which created new opportunities for small breweries and boosted malt consumption. Investments in sustainable technologies, such as the CO2-neutral heat source at Vestfyen Brewery, also influenced production practices. In 2020, small independent craft maltsters began to emerge, focusing on supplying microbreweries and diversifying market offerings.

The market continued to expand in 2021-2022, reaching 111.0 thousand tons in 2022. Higher settlement prices for organic products stimulated the production of organic malt, while consumer preferences for health and sustainability sustained demand. However, in 2022, global uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and inflation sharply raised production costs, leading to a surge in market value to 57.6 million US dollars despite the volume growth. The entry of small local malt houses further changed market dynamics by offering specialized products.

After peaking in 2022, the market volume declined to 90.0 thousand tons in 2023 and 84.9 thousand tons in 2024. The market value also fell to 42.0 million US dollars in 2024, reflecting a correction following the earlier price increases and shifts in market conditions.

Production malt in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of contraction, Denmark's malt production value increased in 2021. Output reached 113.4 million US dollars, marking a 6.7% year-over-year gain. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 106.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark ranked 20th globally in malt production volume.

Top producers of malt, 2018-2021

World map of production of malt, 2018-2021

In 2021, Denmark produced 279.2 thousand tons of malt, a 4.4% increase from 2020. The lowest production was in 2020 at 267.4 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 287.5 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports malt from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Denmark's malt exports increased in 2021, reaching 184.4 thousand tons, up 5.4% from 2020. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 175.0 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 8.5%, averaging a 2.9% annual decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark's malt exports were not concentrated on a few key markets. Sweden accounted for 12.8% of exports, Cambodia for 11.2%, and Norway for 10.8%, together making up 34.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Denmark's malt export value increased in 2021, totaling 77 938 thousand US dollars, a 7.8% year-over-year rise. The lowest value was in 2020 at 72 328 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.2%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 4.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018-2021, Denmark's malt export value was balanced rather than concentrated. Sweden represented 12.6% of exports, Turkey 11.6%, and Norway 10.7%, together accounting for 34.9% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 65.1%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports malt to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Denmark's malt imports totaled 8.4 thousand tons, down 14.1% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 6.5 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 38.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 50.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 20%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Sweden were the key partners for Denmark's malt imports in volume. Poland accounted for 32.5% of imports, Germany for 29.1%, and Sweden for 13.9%, together representing 75.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's malt import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 6 451 thousand US dollars, a strong 20.1% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 5 274 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 23.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 6.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Poland, Germany, and Belgium remained the key partners for Denmark's malt imports in value. Poland accounted for 33.2% of imports, Germany for 29.7%, and Belgium for 12.7%, together making up 75.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021