Malt market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish malt market showed notable fluctuations. The expansion of Intermalta's malt house in Albacete in 2018 increased annual production capacity by 40 000 tons, strengthening domestic supply. Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted supply chains and reduced demand from bars and pubs, market volume rose to 639 200 tons, likely supported by the earlier capacity enhancement.

Market volume fell to 547 300 tons in 2021 as the pandemic continued to affect supply and demand. A recovery followed in 2022, with volume reaching 684 400 tons, driven by new legislation updating rules for beer and malt beverage production and commercialization, alongside Intermalta's investments in solar energy and plans for further capacity expansion. In 2023, volume stabilized at a high level of 694 000 tons, supported by the Open Market Law, which reduced regulatory barriers for economic activity.

Production malt in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain consistently ranked 14th globally in malt production.

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 615 K t of malt, marking a significant 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.7%.

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

Exports malt from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Malt exports from Spain reached 51.9 K t in 2020, representing a substantial 129.6% increase over 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 20.9 K t, which marked a 49.4% decline from the previous year. Overall, export levels fluctuated 2.5 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Tunisia, and Brazil consistently led Spain's malt exports by volume. Portugal accounted for 55.9% of exports, Tunisia for 11.4%, and Brazil for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 74.0% of Spain's total malt export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2020, malt exports from Spain reached 23 492 K $ US, reflecting a 112.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 622 K $ US, which represented a 43.8% decline. Overall, export values varied 2.4 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Portugal, Tunisia, and Brazil—collectively accounted for 71.0% of Spain's total malt export value.

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

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

Imports malt to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Spain's malt imports rebounded in 2020. The country imported 45.6 K t of malt that year, representing a sharp 66.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 45.6 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 10.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 54.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany formed the core of Spain's malt imports by volume. France accounted for 34.2% of imports, the United Kingdom for 16.4%, and Germany for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 60.9% of Spain's total malt import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's malt imports increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 27 920 K $ US—a 24.2% rise over the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 17 334 K $ US, which marked a 36.2% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when import values rose by 29.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom formed the core of Spain's malt imports by value. France accounted for 35.8% of import value, Germany for 16.1%, and the United Kingdom for 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented 65.3% of Spain's total malt import flows during this period.

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

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