Malt market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market volume in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed variable movement from 2018 to 2023, starting at 3 339 thousand tons in 2018. It declined to 3 133 thousand tons in 2019, then edged up to 3 191 thousand tons in 2020. A further contraction followed in 2021 to 3 099 thousand tons, before a rise to 3 272 thousand tons in 2022. The market settled at 3 184 thousand tons in 2023.

Regulatory developments played a role, particularly the postponement of the EAEU technical regulation on alcohol safety from 2022 to 2024, which altered compliance timelines for malt producers. From 2022 onward, logistical challenges and sanctions impacted trade, contributing to reduced export volumes and shifts in import patterns, thereby affecting domestic market supply.

By 2024, these factors continued to influence the market, with a 37% increase in the price of brewing barley malt and a growing share of imports from Belarus. The shortage of high-quality brewing barley also emerged as a constraint, reflecting ongoing adjustments in the regional malt trade.

Production malt in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Malt production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 569 thousand tons of malt, representing a modest decrease of 2.5% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production grew by 5.5% to reach its peak of 3 815 thousand tons. The following year, 2019, saw the most significant decline, with production falling by 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of malt output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 1 671 million US dollars, marking a 9.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 525 million US dollars, which represented a substantial decline of 15.1% compared to 2018. The highest value occurred in 2018, when production was valued at 1 797 million US dollars.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports malt from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, malt exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. The export volume totaled 777.2 thousand tons, down 14.0% from 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 903.8 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 19.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Brazil were among the largest buyers of malt from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 7.3%, 5.2%, and 3.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 16.3% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Malt exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with export value totaling 363.9 million US dollars, a decrease of 3.4% compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 387.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 20.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, malt exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Germany, Austria, and Brazil accounted for 7.0%, 5.1%, and 3.7% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented only 15.8% of total export flows, highlighting the broad diversification of trade partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports malt to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Malt imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 399.7 thousand tons, a 5.6% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 20.4%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for malt imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Austria, Germany, and Lithuania accounted for 5.5%, 5.2%, and 2.9% of imports in kind, respectively, but together they represented just 13.6% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 86.4%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, malt imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. The region imported approximately 205.9 million US dollars worth of malt, down 1.7% from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 209.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.6%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of malt imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Germany, Austria, and Finland accounted for 8.0%, 6.0%, and 3.0% of imports in value, respectively, but together they represented only 17.1% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020