Malt market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German malt market volume declined from 1.48 million tons in 2018 to 1.31 million tons in 2020. This drop was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused global supply chain disruptions and affected raw material availability for malt production. Before the pandemic, the market was shaped by Germany's strong brewing tradition and rising consumer interest in craft beers and organic malt products.

After the pandemic, market volume recovered to 1.41 million tons in 2021 as craft brewery expansion continued and demand for premium malt products rose. However, volume dipped again in 2022 and 2023, while market value grew sharply from $507 million in 2021 to $762 million in 2023. This value increase was driven by the growing number of breweries in the EU, which reached 9,684, and market consolidation such as Malteries Soufflet's planned acquisition of United Malt Group, shifting the market toward higher-value segments.

In 2023 and 2024, key market players like Axereal and Cargill drove innovations, and demand for malt in craft beers and non-alcoholic malt beverages kept rising. Technological advances in processing and investments in sustainability, along with new product segments like protein-rich malt drinks, supported value growth. Diageo's £185 million investment to reopen the Port Ellen distillery in 2024 further strengthened the premium spirits segment, influencing the malt market. Despite volume stabilizing around 1.34 million tons in 2024, market value remained high at $762 million.

Production malt in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's malt output was valued at 703.4 million US dollars, marking a modest 6.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Germany ranked as the third-largest producer of malt from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Germany's malt production volume declined. In 2020, the country produced 1 742 thousand tons of malt, a 7.7% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 3.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 887 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2.7%.

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

Exports malt from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's malt exports decreased. In 2020, exports reached 631.7 thousand tons, showing a moderate 8.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest level was in 2019 at 691.5 thousand tons, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (10.5% of exports in volume), Italy (9.1%), and Japan (7.4%) were among the top buyers of German malt. However, together they accounted for only 27.0% of total exports in volume, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Germany's malt deliveries declined. In 2020, exports totaled 327.9 million US dollars, a significant 11.6% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 370.7 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United States (14.3% of exports in value), Italy (8.6%), and Japan (6.7%) together made up only 29.7% of total flows, with a long tail of smaller markets accounting for the remaining 70.3%.

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

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

Imports malt to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's malt imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 202.9 thousand tons, a notable 12.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest level was in 2018 at 276.8 thousand tons, with the largest decline in 2019 at 16.0% and the largest increase in 2018 at 43.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France (36.0% of imports in volume), the Netherlands (19.5%), and Czechia (14.2%) formed the core of Germany's malt imports, together accounting for 69.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's malt import volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were approximately 88.4 million US dollars, down 10.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 118.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 16.9% and the largest increase in 2018 at 51.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (35.1% of imports in value), the Netherlands (18.6%), and Czechia (13.2%) formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's malt imports in value terms, with a combined share of 66.9% of total flows.

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

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