Malt market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Northern America grew from 2.4 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.4 million tonnes in 2020, driven primarily by the craft beer segment. Government initiatives to support new breweries and the rapid expansion of microbreweries and brewpubs, which consumed around 40% of U.S. malt, provided a steady boost to malt demand during this period.

Market volume fell sharply to 1.4 million tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 2.1 million tonnes by 2023. This rebound was fueled by changing consumer preferences toward craft and specialized malt beverages, including convenient liquid malt and non-alcoholic options, as well as significant capacity investments by major producers like Molson Coors in hard seltzers and spirit-based malt drinks.

Production malt in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern America produced 3 002 K t of malt, marking a 1.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2 991 K t. That year also saw the steepest drop of 3.9%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase at 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of malt production in Northern America stood at 1 535 M $ US, showing a modest 4.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 5.7%, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 4.1%.

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

Exports malt from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Malt exports from Northern America continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 581.0 K t, which is 9.0% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18%, averaging an annual decline of 6.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, malt exports from Northern America were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Japan accounted for 24.2% of exports in kind, Mexico for 15.5%, and South Korea for 3.8%. Together, these three countries made up 43.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern America exported malt worth 297.0 M $ US, representing a solid 12.2% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.4%.

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

An analysis of malt export values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Japan contributed 22.2% of exports in value terms, Mexico 14.1%, and South Korea 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 39.7% of total flows, leaving a significant 60.3% to other partners.

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

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

Imports malt to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Malt imports into Northern America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was 14.6 K t, reflecting a robust 11.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports plummeted by 79.8%, averaging an annual decline of 41.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the United Kingdom were the main sources of malt imports into Northern America, together accounting for 28.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, malt import volumes into Northern America increased in 2020. The value of imports reached 19.9 M $ US, showing an 8.7% advance from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 59.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18.3 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 62.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France formed the core group of markets for malt imports into Northern America in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.5%, the United Kingdom for 13.9%, and France for 0.8%. Together, they represented 43.3% of total import flows.

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

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