Malt market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Italy declined from 344 thousand tons in 2018 to 246 thousand tons in 2020. This contraction was exacerbated in 2020 by supply-chain disruptions and temporary brewery closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed demand for malt and prompted suppliers to strengthen e-commerce and digital traceability channels. Earlier, the market had seen the introduction of stricter food labeling rules and early clean-label initiatives.

From 2021, the market entered a recovery phase, reaching 322 thousand tons in 2023. The rebound was fueled by growing consumer preference for organic and non-GMO malts, the post-pandemic resurgence of craft beer demand which boosted specialty malt adoption, and the expansion of the Doppio Malto retail format that opened new distribution channels. Additionally, mandatory environmental labeling for packaging came into force in 2023, requiring compliance from industry players.

Production malt in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Italy ranked as the 30th largest producer of malt between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Malt production in Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 113 K t of malt, marking a 15.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 198 K t, with the largest year-over-year increase of 23.8% occurring that same year. In contrast, the most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production decreased by 32.8%.

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

Exports malt from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, malt exports from Italy declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.5 K t, representing a sharp decrease of 30.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.1 K t, and the largest year-over-year increase of 45.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the leading destinations for Italy's malt exports in volume terms, accounting for 21.4%, 20.0%, and 11.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 53.4% of Italy's total malt export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of malt exports from Italy declined. In 2020, exports totaled 1 674 K $ US, indicating a 17.7% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 58.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 035 K $ US, which also saw the largest year-over-year increase of 40.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy exported malt to numerous countries, with even the top three destinations—France, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia—accounting for only 49.4% of total export value, reflecting a relatively diversified market.

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

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

Imports malt to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of increases, Italy's malt imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 134.6 K t, down by 11.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 152.3 K t, while the largest year-over-year increase of 5.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Austria were the primary sources of malt imports to Italy in volume terms, accounting for 40.6%, 37.5%, and 13.5% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 91.6% of Italy's total malt import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of malt imports to Italy declined. In 2020, imports totaled 61 454 K $ US, reflecting a 17.2% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 4.0%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 74 223 K $ US, and the largest year-over-year increase of 12.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Austria led Italy's malt imports in value terms, accounting for 40.0%, 36.8%, and 12.8% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 89.6% of total import flows.

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

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