Malt market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Western Asia experienced significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume surged from 322 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 423 thousand tons in 2020, driven by a near-doubling of domestic production over the two-year period.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, reducing the market to 318 thousand tons as production fell markedly. Volume stabilized at this level in 2022 before recovering to 380 thousand tons in 2023, supported by a rebound in production and rising imports.

In 2024, malt imports increased further to 199 thousand tons, indicating sustained demand. During this period, the fixation of barley selling prices in some local markets provided cost stability for malt producers, while new investments in malt distillation and fermentation facilities in the broader region signaled the entry of new players and production capacity expansion.

Production malt in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Malt production in Western Asia has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 295.2 K t of malt, marking a 6.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 35.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 165.7 K t, when output fell by 23.9%—the largest decline during this timeframe. Conversely, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with production jumping by 67.0%.

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

Exports malt from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The malt export market from Western Asia experienced notable volatility during the observed period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing an 11.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.6 K t, representing a 14.6% increase from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3.3 K t, which saw a dramatic surge of 1 031.5%—the largest increase. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with exports dropping by 57.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark and Belarus were the primary buyers of malt from Western Asia, together accounting for 26.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for malt from Western Asia displayed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with an 8.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, export revenues reached 1 060 K $ US, down by 30.6% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 696 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 726.4%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Denmark, Belarus, and Bangladesh were the largest buyers of malt from Western Asia in value terms. Denmark led with 32.2% of exports, followed by Belarus at 1.7%, and Bangladesh at 0.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 34.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports malt to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Malt imports into Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 129.8 K t, a decrease of 7.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 159.5 K t, which saw the largest increase of 36.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Ukraine were the main sources of malt imports into Western Asia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 29.5% of imports, Denmark for 15.3%, and Ukraine for 12.3%. Collectively, these three countries supplied 57.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Malt import values in Western Asia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 69 500 K $ US, a slight decline of 2.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 77 068 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 33.7%. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019, with imports dropping by 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Ukraine were the key suppliers of malt to Western Asia in value terms. Germany contributed 29.0% of imports, Denmark 13.8%, and Ukraine 12.5%. Together, these three countries made up 55.3% of total import value.

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

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