Malt market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Estonia, measured in volume, grew from 18 310 t in 2018 to 20 371 t in 2024, peaking at 22 736 t in 2021 before a sharp contraction in 2023. In value terms, the market demonstrated consistent growth from $8.7 million to $15.1 million over the same period. The initial expansion through 2021 was supported by rising domestic production, which increased from 3 616 t to 5 913 t, alongside growing imports. This period coincided with legislative changes affecting land use and cadastre, including new licensing and control procedures introduced in 2018, which likely facilitated more efficient land utilization for agricultural production.

Market volume declined in 2022 and fell sharply in 2023, primarily due to a significant drop in imports. The decrease in 2022 aligned with reported pressure on agricultural competitiveness from rising costs and low raw material value addition, impacting producers. State support for developing short supply chains and local markets, introduced that year, provided a counterbalance by promoting the marketing of local malt. The market recovered in 2024, with volume reaching 20 371 t, supported by a rebound in imports and continued production growth amidst studies on shifting consumer food preferences.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by evolving regulatory pressures. The tightening of economic and industrial sector regulations noted in 2021, followed by updates to national energy and climate strategy requirements in 2023, introduced new compliance considerations for production efficiency and costs. These factors contributed to the changing cost environment for malt production in Estonia alongside the direct market movements.

Production malt in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's malt production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 5 947 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 18.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 82.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of malt, 2018-2021

World map of production of malt, 2018-2021

Malt production in Estonia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 5 913 tonnes of malt, representing a 9.0% rise year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 63.5%, with an average annual rate of 17.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports malt from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia's malt export volume reached 2 747 tonnes, up by 29.9% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 40.1%, averaging 11.9% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when exports fell by 14.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Russia, and Latvia were the key partners for Estonia's malt exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 29.7% of exports, Russia for 24.0%, and Latvia for 19.6%, together making up 73.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of Estonia's malt exports amounted to 2 710 thousand US dollars, showing a 36.4% gain compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 58.1%, with an average annual increase of 16.5%. The most significant drop was in 2020, when exports decreased by 12.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Russia, and Latvia formed the core markets for Estonia's malt exports in value terms. Poland held a 29.4% share, Russia 25.2%, and Latvia 18.8%, collectively representing 73.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports malt to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's malt import volume has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country imported a total of value_last_year tonnes of malt, marking a robust 11.1% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Lithuania dominated Estonia's malt imports in volume terms, accounting for 74.0% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Malt imports into Estonia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 8 964 thousand US dollars, showing an uptick of 16.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 25.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania remained the primary source for Estonia's malt imports in value terms, with a share of 70.9% of total flows. The rest of the import volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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