Malt market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Western Europe contracted from 3.2 million tons in 2018 to 2.7 million tons in 2020. This was followed by a period of stabilization and subsequent growth, with the market volume reaching 3.1 million tons by 2023.

The recovery and expansion from 2021 onward were primarily driven by the dynamic growth of the craft brewing sector. In 2022, the total number of active breweries in the EU reached 9,684, significantly boosting demand for brewing malt. This trend continued into 2023, supported by brewers seeking high-quality specialty malts, such as caramel malt, to differentiate their products in line with premiumisation.

Moving into 2024, the market is further shaped by the adoption of industrial automation in European malthouses and stricter EU regulations on ingredient labeling, which are accelerating product reformulation. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for health and wellness is fueling demand for non-alcoholic malt beverages and organic specialty malts.

Production malt in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Europe produced 4 439 K t of malt, marking an 11.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 988 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 8.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, malt production in Western Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 751 M $ US, reflecting a significant decrease of 12.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 5.1%, with a CAGR of 1.7%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 3 126 M $ US, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

Exports malt from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 2 314 K t of malt, representing a 5.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 7.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 054 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 17.6%. Conversely, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in kind was highly diversified. Japan accounted for 5.4% of exports, Italy for 4.8%, and Brazil for 4.7%, together making up only 14.9% of total flows. The remaining 85.1% was distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, malt exports from Western Europe declined. In 2020, the export value stood at 1 265 M $ US, a 7.5% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 9.9%, with a CAGR of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 368 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Japan contributed 5.7% of exports, Italy 5.1%, and Brazil 4.7%, collectively accounting for just 15.4% of total flows. The remaining 84.6% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports malt to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 268 K t and peaked in 2018 at 663 K t, showing a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, Western Europe's malt imports totaled 540 K t, a substantial increase of 101.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 59.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 103.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia was the largest supplier of malt to Western Europe, accounting for 6.1% of imports in kind, followed by Poland at 2.9% and Slovakia at 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 10.5% of total imports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Malt imports into Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 392 M $ US, a 10.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.5%, with a CAGR of 0.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 475 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 18.3%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Czechia accounted for 5.3% of imports, Poland for 2.9%, and the United Kingdom for 2.2%, jointly making up only 10.4% of total flows. The remaining 89.6% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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