Malt underpins beer across major producing regions, linking what’s brewed with what’s grown, processed, and shipped. In 2023, global per-capita malt consumption averaged 3.4 kg and beer accounted for 78% of the market. We also track production and trade—27.4 million metric tons produced worldwide and 12.1 million tons exported—alongside sustainability signals like certified sustainable and lower water use.
Key Takeaways
- Global per capita malt consumption averaged 3.4 kg in 2023.
- Beer malt consumption worldwide 21.5 million tons in 2023.
- US per capita malt consumption 8.2 kg via beer in 2023.
- Global malt market size valued at USD 18.5 billion in 2023.
- Malt market projected to grow at CAGR 4.2% from 2024 to 2030.
- Beer segment holds 78% share of global malt market in 2023.
- Global malt production in 2023 totaled 27.4 million metric tons, up 3.2% from 2022 due to increased barley yields in Europe.
- The European Union produced 10.2 million tons of malt in 2023, accounting for 37% of global output.
- Australia's malt production reached 1.8 million tons in 2022-23, driven by exports to Asia.
- 45% of global malt production certified sustainable in 2023.
- Organic malt production grew 18% to 2.1 million tons worldwide.
- Water usage in malting reduced by 25% industry-wide since 2015.
- Global malt exports reached 12.1 million tons in 2023.
- EU malt exports valued at EUR 2.8 billion in 2023.
- Australia's malt exports hit 1.4 million tons to Asia.
In 2023, growing beer demand drove the malt market to $18.5 billion, with production up and sustainable output rising.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption Patterns28 stats
01
Global per capita malt consumption averaged 3.4 kg in 2023.
02
Beer malt consumption worldwide 21.5 million tons in 2023.
03
US per capita malt consumption 8.2 kg via beer in 2023.
04
China's malt consumption reached 7.2 million tons in 2023.
05
Germany's beer-driven malt use 4.1 million tons in 2023.
06
Brazil consumed 4.8 million tons of malt for beer in 2023.
07
India's malt consumption grew to 1.1 million tons in 2023.
08
Australia's per capita malt intake 12.5 kg in 2023.
09
Mexico's malt use 3.9 million tons, highest in Latin America.
10
UK's malt consumption 1.6 million tons in 2023/24.
11
Japan's imported malt consumption 1.8 million tons in 2023.
12
France consumed 2.5 million tons of malt in 2023.
13
Canada's malt use 1.0 million tons domestically in 2023.
14
South Korea malt consumption 0.9 million tons in 2023.
15
Poland's beer malt intake 1.2 million tons in 2023.
16
Vietnam consumed 1.3 million tons of malt in 2023.
17
South Africa's malt use 0.8 million tons for beer.
18
Russia's domestic malt consumption 1.1 million tons.
19
Turkey malt consumption 0.7 million tons in 2023.
20
Thailand's growing malt use 0.6 million tons in 2023.
21
Argentina consumed 0.9 million tons of malt in 2023.
22
Belgium's high per capita 15.2 kg malt consumption.
23
Denmark malt use 0.5 million tons, craft focus.
24
Ireland whiskey malt consumption 0.3 million tons.
25
Netherlands consumed 0.7 million tons malt in 2023.
26
Sweden's organic malt consumption up 20% to 0.2 million tons.
27
Czech Republic per capita 14.8 kg malt use.
28
Ethiopia's local malt consumption 0.15 million tons.
Interpretation
Consumption Patterns Interpretation
In the consumption patterns of malt, beer remains the dominant driver with global use at 21.5 million tons in 2023 while per capita levels range widely from 3.4 kg worldwide to 8.2 kg in the US, showing strong geographic differences in how intensely malt is consumed.
02 · Category
Market Analysis23 stats
01
Global malt market size valued at USD 18.5 billion in 2023.
02
Malt market projected to grow at CAGR 4.2% from 2024 to 2030.
03
Beer segment holds 78% share of global malt market in 2023.
04
North America malt market size was USD 4.2 billion in 2023.
05
Asia-Pacific malt market to grow fastest at 5.1% CAGR to 2030.
06
Premium malt segment valued at USD 5.8 billion globally in 2023.
07
Distilled spirits malt market share 15% of total in 2023.
08
Organic malt market reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
09
Europe malt market dominated with 45% global share in 2023.
10
US craft beer malt demand boosted market by 12% in 2023.
11
China malt market size USD 2.1 billion in 2023.
12
Brazil malt market grew 8% to USD 1.5 billion in 2023.
13
India malt market valued at USD 0.9 billion, CAGR 6.5% projected.
14
Australia malt exports contributed AUD 1.2 billion to market in 2023.
15
Germany malt market leader in Europe at EUR 3.4 billion.
16
UK malt market size GBP 1.1 billion in 2023.
17
Canada malt market USD 0.8 billion, driven by exports.
18
South Africa malt market valued at ZAR 4.5 billion in 2023.
19
Mexico malt market USD 1.0 billion for beer industry.
20
Japan malt imports market USD 0.7 billion in 2023.
21
France malt market EUR 2.2 billion, premium focus.
22
Russia malt market RUB 150 billion despite challenges.
23
Vietnam malt market USD 0.4 billion, growing rapidly.
Interpretation
Market Analysis Interpretation
With the global malt market reaching USD 18.5 billion in 2023 and projected to expand at a 4.2% CAGR through 2030, the market analysis signal is clear that beer-driven demand dominates the 78% share while Asia-Pacific is set to be the fastest-growing region at 5.1% CAGR.
03 · Category
Production And Output29 stats
01
Global malt production in 2023 totaled 27.4 million metric tons, up 3.2% from 2022 due to increased barley yields in Europe.
02
The European Union produced 10.2 million tons of malt in 2023, accounting for 37% of global output.
03
Australia's malt production reached 1.8 million tons in 2022-23, driven by exports to Asia.
04
United States malt production was 2.1 million metric tons in 2023, with craft brewers consuming 45%.
05
Germany's malting capacity stands at 3.5 million tons annually as of 2024.
06
France produced 2.8 million tons of barley malt in 2023, focusing on premium pilsner malt.
07
Canada's malt output hit 1.2 million tons in 2023, with 60% exported to the US.
08
In 2023, China imported 1.5 million tons of malt but produced only 0.8 million tons domestically.
09
Ukraine's malt production dropped to 0.9 million tons in 2023 due to geopolitical conflicts.
10
Argentina's malt industry output was 0.7 million tons in 2022, mainly for local beer production.
11
Denmark malts 1.1 million tons yearly, specializing in organic varieties at 15% of total.
12
Belgium's six major maltsters produced 1.4 million tons in 2023.
13
UK's malt production for 2023/24 season projected at 1.9 million tons.
14
Russia produced 1.3 million tons of malt in 2023 despite sanctions.
15
New Zealand's malt output was 0.4 million tons in 2023, focused on high-quality export malt.
16
India's domestic malt production reached 0.3 million tons in 2023, with imports supplementing.
17
Brazil's malt production grew to 0.6 million tons in 2023 for its expanding beer market.
18
South Africa's malt output was 0.5 million tons in 2023, led by SABMiller.
19
Ethiopia produced 0.2 million tons of malt in 2023, aiming for self-sufficiency.
20
Poland's malt production totaled 1.0 million tons in 2023.
21
Czech Republic malts 0.8 million tons annually, known for lager malts.
22
Sweden's organic malt production was 0.15 million tons in 2023.
23
Netherlands malt exports originated from 0.9 million tons production in 2023.
24
Ireland produced 0.4 million tons of malt in 2023 for whiskey and beer.
25
Turkey's malt output reached 0.35 million tons in 2023.
26
Vietnam imported malt but produced 0.1 million tons locally in 2023.
27
Mexico's malt production was 0.25 million tons in 2023 for cerveza.
28
Japan's malt consumption drove 0.2 million tons production in 2023.
29
Thailand produced 0.15 million tons of malt in 2023.
Interpretation
Production And Output Interpretation
In the Production And Output picture, global malt production rose to 27.4 million metric tons in 2023, up 3.2% from 2022, with Europe still driving scale through 10.2 million tons, 37% of the world total.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sustainability And Innovation21 stats
01
45% of global malt production certified sustainable in 2023.
02
Organic malt production grew 18% to 2.1 million tons worldwide.
03
Water usage in malting reduced by 25% industry-wide since 2015.
04
60% of EU malt uses renewable energy in production.
05
Australia's malt industry recycled 95% of steeping water in 2023.
06
US craft maltsters 80% adopt regenerative agriculture.
07
Global CO2 emissions from malting down 15% via tech upgrades.
08
30% increase in low-glucan malt varieties for gluten-free beer.
09
Enzyme tech reduced energy use in kilning by 20%.
10
Germany's zero-waste malt plants reached 40% coverage.
11
Blockchain traceability adopted by 25% of malt supply chains.
12
Precision agriculture boosted barley yields 12% for malt.
13
UK's malt CO2 footprint cut 22% per ton since 2020.
14
Canada's malt industry 70% carbon neutral goal by 2030 progress.
15
Non-GMO malt demand up 35% in Asia markets.
16
AI-optimized malting processes saved 10% energy globally.
17
Spent grain repurposing reached 90% in EU malt houses.
18
Drought-resistant barley varieties 15% of malt input.
19
France's solar-powered malt kilns at 20 facilities.
20
Global R&D investment in malt biotech USD 450 million.
21
Belgium's specialty malts innovation grew 25% market share.
Interpretation
Sustainability And Innovation Interpretation
Across Sustainability and Innovation, the industry is making measurable progress, with 45% of global malt production certified sustainable in 2023 and multiple efficiency and input breakthroughs such as a 25% reduction in malting water use since 2015 and 60% of EU malt production powered by renewable energy.
05 · Category
Trade And Exports29 stats
01
Global malt exports reached 12.1 million tons in 2023.
02
EU malt exports valued at EUR 2.8 billion in 2023.
03
Australia's malt exports hit 1.4 million tons to Asia.
04
US malt exports grew 15% to 0.6 million tons in 2023.
05
Canada exported 0.8 million tons of malt to US in 2023.
06
France malt exports 1.2 million tons, mainly to Africa.
07
Germany's malt trade surplus EUR 1.5 billion in 2023.
08
UK's malt exports 0.5 million tons to EU post-Brexit.
09
Argentina exported 0.4 million tons of malt in 2023.
10
Denmark top organic malt exporter at 0.2 million tons.
11
Belgium exported 0.6 million tons specialty malts.
12
China imported 4.5 million tons of malt in 2023.
13
Japan malt imports totaled 1.9 million tons.
14
Brazil malt imports 1.2 million tons despite local production.
15
India imported 0.8 million tons malt for beer growth.
16
Vietnam top importer at 1.1 million tons in 2023.
17
South Korea imported 1.0 million tons malt.
18
Mexico imported 0.5 million tons premium malt.
19
Russia malt exports fell to 0.3 million tons.
20
South Africa exported 0.1 million tons to Africa.
21
Poland malt exports 0.4 million tons to Eastern Europe.
22
Netherlands re-exported 0.7 million tons malt.
23
Ukraine exports dropped 70% to 0.2 million tons.
24
New Zealand exported 0.3 million tons high-quality malt.
25
Turkey imported 0.4 million tons malt in 2023.
26
Thailand malt imports 0.5 million tons.
27
Ireland exported 0.2 million tons peated malt for whiskey.
28
Sweden exported 0.1 million tons organic malt.
29
Czech Republic malt exports 0.3 million tons.
Interpretation
Trade And Exports Interpretation
In 2023, global malt exports totaled 12.1 million tons, with major flows concentrated across regions such as the EU at EUR 2.8 billion and Australia shipping 1.4 million tons to Asia, underscoring how trade channels are central to where malt demand concentrates.
report visual · Key figures
Where malt demand is strongest (per capita vs national consumption)
Per capita consumption peaks in Belgium and Australia, while total malt use is highest in large beer markets worldwide.
15.2
Belgium's high per capita 15.2 kg malt consumption.
12.5
Australia's per capita malt intake 12.5 kg in 2023.
3.4
Global per capita malt consumption averaged 3.4 kg in 2023.
21.5
Beer malt consumption worldwide 21.5 million tons in 2023.
8.2
US per capita malt consumption 8.2 kg via beer in 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Malt Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/malt-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Malt Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/malt-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Malt Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/malt-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
58 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level