Malted Barley Market
Report ID: SQMIG30E2077
Report ID: SQMIG30E2077
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Report ID:
SQMIG30E2077 |
Region:
Global |
Published Date: January, 2026
Pages:
179
|Tables:
117
|Figures:
72
Global Malted Barley Market size was valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2024 and is poised to grow from USD 3.93 billion in 2025 to USD 6.41 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period (2026-2033).
The market is experiencing strong growth in response to the rising global demand for alcoholic drinks, particularly beer and whiskey. The rise in craft beer consumption and the return to more traditional methods of brewing have created demand for high-quality malted barley in developed and developing countries. In addition, the expansion of the use of malted barley in health foods and nutritional supplements is generating growth opportunities.
There are significant constraints in the market related to climate effects on barley production, variations in costs of raw materials, and a limited supply of malting-quality barley in some regions. Challenges may be exacerbated by supply chain disruptions in a new post-COVID-19 environment and increasing regulations in alcohol production. However, investments in innovative malting processes and a transition toward sustainable farming practices are likely to provide long-term opportunities for growth in the malted barley market.
How are AI and IoT Technologies Enhancing Sustainability, Efficiency, and Traceability in the Global Malted Barley Market?
The global malted barley industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to AI and IoT technologies that improve quality control, productivity, and transparency in supply chains. For example, artificial-intelligence-based grain grading systems can now sort grains of barley very accurately based on their size, feel, and how pure they are, which leads to improved consistency of malt production. Similarly, IoT-enabled sensors are enabling farmers to monitor conditions in their fields in real time, to the point where variable irrigation and nutrient allocation decisions can be made with confidence. These innovations are improving yield, lessening waste of resources, and helping growers engage in more sustainable barley growing practices.
In 2025, a major malt producer partnered with a technology company to introduce an AI-based sustainability platform that tracks and improves environmental progress across more than 1,200 barley farms in Northern Europe. The platform obtains data on emissions, biodiversity, and agricultural practices at the field level and provides actionable insights to growers and buyers. This highlights enhancements in traceability, demonstrates support for the transition to regenerative agriculture, and shows measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions within the malted barley supply chain, showcasing how innovative technologies are driving operational and environmental improvements in the market.
Market snapshot - 2026-2033
Global Market Size
USD 3.06 Billion
Largest Segment
Barley Grain
Fastest Growth
Barley Flour
Growth Rate
5.9% CAGR
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Global Malted Barley Market is segmented by Type, Application, Form, End Use and region. Based on Type, the market is segmented into Barley Grain, Barley Flour and Barley Malt. Based on Application, the market is segmented into Animal Feed, Food & Beverages and Malting. Based on Form, the market is segmented into Whole Barley, Pearled Barley and Barley Flakes. Based on End Use, the market is segmented into Food Industry, Beverage Industry and Feed Industry. Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.
The beverage industry segment currently dominates the global malted barley market share. This is primarily attributed to the increasing worldwide consumer demand for beer, whiskey, and other malt-based alcoholic beverages. The growth in craft beer and premium distilleries, particularly in North America and Europe, has increased overall demand for high-quality malted barley. Traditional brewing cultures in Asia and South America have also helped to sustain market demand.
The food & beverages application segment (excluding alcoholic beverages) is witnessing the fastest growth. The growing popularity of clean-label, high-fiber, and functional food products is driving the demand for barley-based snacks, cereals, and baked goods. Consumers continue to look for multiple alternatives to refined grains, and barley provides favorable benefits of digestion and heart health. This trend is very strong in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
The barley grain segment continues to lead the global malted barley market trends, because it is widely available, inexpensive, and has multiple applications in food, feed, and malting. Its natural state conserves the most nutrients, which is beneficial for food products designed for health-conscious consumers and for animal feed. The other factor in its adoption among developed and emerging markets is that it can be processed with minimal ingredients, which lowers processing costs.
The Barley Malt segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The growing demand for natural and functional ingredients in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages has sparked its increased use. Barley malt is increasingly favored for its nutritional benefits and versatility in brewing, baking, and snacks. Emerging markets, alongside health-conscious consumer trends, are projected to support growth in this sector.
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Europe holds a dominant position in the global malted barley market growth, because of its illustrious brewing tradition, high number of craft and commercial breweries, and favourable conditions for barley growth. Government policy, industrial support, and advances in malting technology have enhanced the region's position. Additionally, strong demand for malted barley is driven by growth in premium imported malted barley in the brewing of beer and whisky, which continues to fuel high levels of consumption in the region's larger economies.
The demand for malted barley in the UK is significant, according to the growing beer and whisky industry supplied by US producers. The craft brewery and distillery sector is quickly developing and has needs for various varieties of barley, in particular, high quality malting varieties. With the ability to produce malting barley with established agricultural systems and significant investment into sustainable barriers, domestic production continues. The UK is still producing more barley yield and quality through research, export resources, and partnerships with innovative growers in the area.
Germany is a key player in Europe’s malted barley market regional outlook, due to its large number of breweries and tradition of beer consumption. High domestic barley production, coupled with growing demand for specialty malts, sustains the country’s dominance. The extension of malting facilities, along with the continuing commitment to producing organic and high-quality varieties of malt are maintaining Germany's competitiveness in both the domestic and export markets.
France is a prominent producer and exporter of barley and is a key supplier of malted barley in Europe. The country has highly fertile growing areas, along with government supported agricultural programs for barley championed by its farmers. French malt has a strong reputation and a consistent quality that is recognized across European and Asian markets. In addition, it has recently been expanding into organic and sustainable barley production, which addresses a strong consumer interest in traceable and sustainably--sourced malt globally.
The Asia-Pacific area is the fastest-growing region due to growing consumption of malt-based beverages, and increasing healthy grain-based food product demand. Rapid urbanization and income increase are generating adoption from both food and beverage applications, with changing dietary preferences driving adoption. Local barley is getting more government backing and more brewing infrastructure investment as demand for natural and functional ingredients continues to drive growth in some key countries in the region.
Japan’s malted barley market is steadily developing, supported by demand for premium craft beer and barley-based health foods. As consumers become more focused on incorporating functional and natural ingredients into their daily diets, more innovation is occurring within the oldest segments of cereals and baked goods. The government endorsed modern agricultural practices and food innovation, which will enhance domestic barley production and motivate local breweries to produce beers of exceptional quality that meet consumers’ willingness to pay, or demand, for malted barley that is sourced 100% locally.
South Korea is seeing an increased use of malted barley market forecast, due to a marketplace for craft beer and the gain in interest in healthy foods. Barley-based food items such as snacks, cereals, and beverages are penetrating the health-conscious marketplace. Breweries are interested in choosing different malt varieties to provide unique flavors. Likewise, food tech companies and malt suppliers are collaborating to expand their products and market reach.
North America ranks third due to current demand for beer production and interest in barley-based food, and feed products. North America has favourable climate conditions to produce barley for malting and advanced agricultural infrastructure. However, recent trade uncertainty and shifting consumer preferences toward alternative beverage drinks may temper long-term demand growth. The U.S. and Canada are likely to remain a significant contributor to domestic demand and the international traded malting barley regional market.
The U.S. has a well-established malted barley market strategy, sustained by the large craft beer market and agricultural production. Barley is produced for both food and drink segments in the U.S. Often, when there are drops in beer consumption and trade disputes with the possibility of tariffs, confidence in farmers and export momentum starts to shift. On the other hand, improvements in malt quality and usage in food continues to generate interest towards barley with consumers in various market segments.
Canada is a key player in the malted barley market statistics, especially as a principal supplier to the U.S. and Latin America. The quality and consistency of Canadian barley is well known throughout the industry. However, as with much of the world, trade issues in the last few years have created higher costs, affecting the flow of barley into those markets. Processors in Canada are investing in new capabilities and efficiencies to lessen dependency on external markets, all the while ensuring they are meeting the expanding domestic demand for their premium malt varieties.
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Rising Demand from the Beverage Industry
Health and Nutrition Awareness
Climate Sensitivity and Crop Dependency
High Processing and Storage Costs
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The global malted barley market revenue is fairly consolidated in a competitive market context that revolves around production scale, integration in supply chain, and the ability to meet quality and sustainability requirements, which continue to evolve over time. The leaders compete by offering customized malt profiles, securing long-term contracts with beverage manufacturers, and, in some cases, investing in automated malting plants. Companies are coming under more pressure to turn their attention to traceable sourcing and lowering their carbon footprint to differentiate themselves. For example, one of the global malting producers expanded its footprint in Europe by integrating digital traceability systems and sustainable agriculture contracts with local farmers who grew malting barley.
Concurrently, competition is rising from newer and regional actors who are positioning themselves by focusing on craft quality malts, eco-certifications, and local sourcing models. These businesses are concentrating their services toward the rapidly expanding craft brewery and specialty food segments with focus on small-batch, high-quality malts. A handful of these startups are also working with agriculture tech companies to provide transparency from soil to malt and mitigate environmental consequences. Most recently, a young-malting-present-startup aligned with a regional distributor to launch a climate-friendly malt line and is targeting sustainability-discerning brewery applicants across the larger Asia Pacific area.
SkyQuest’s ABIRAW (Advanced Business Intelligence, Research & Analysis Wing) is our Business Information Services team that Collects, Collates, Correlates, and Analyses the Data collected by means of Primary Exploratory Research backed by robust Secondary Desk research.
As per SkyQuest analysis, the global malted barley market analysis is developing rapidly, spurred on by increased market size for beer and whiskey in the beverage industry. Europe has the largest malted barley market because of strong brewing traditions and enhanced malting techniques in the agricultural industry. The beverage industry will continue to dominate overall sales due to increasing craft brewing and premium spirits.
However, the market primarily contends with climate sensitivity threatening barley yields, creating questions or disruptions for the stability of the barley supply chain. Further, the heightened awareness of health and nutrition expands the malted barley market as consumers looking for clean-label, functional food products consider it an ingredient. The interplay among climate, health and nutrition, continuous sustainable farming innovation, and technology will remain architects of long-term growth of the malted barley sector.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size value in 2024 | USD 3.7 billion |
| Market size value in 2033 | USD 6.41 billion |
| Growth Rate | 6.3% |
| Base year | 2024 |
| Forecast period | 2026-2033 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segments covered |
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| Regions covered | North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA) |
| Companies covered |
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| Customization scope | Free report customization with purchase. Customization includes:-
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Table Of Content
Executive Summary
Market overview
Parent Market Analysis
Market overview
Market size
KEY MARKET INSIGHTS
COVID IMPACT
MARKET DYNAMICS & OUTLOOK
Market Size by Region
KEY COMPANY PROFILES
Methodology
For the Malted Barley Market, our research methodology involved a mixture of primary and secondary data sources. Key steps involved in the research process are listed below:
1. Information Procurement: This stage involved the procurement of Market data or related information via primary and secondary sources. The various secondary sources used included various company websites, annual reports, trade databases, and paid databases such as Hoover's, Bloomberg Business, Factiva, and Avention. Our team did 45 primary interactions Globally which included several stakeholders such as manufacturers, customers, key opinion leaders, etc. Overall, information procurement was one of the most extensive stages in our research process.
2. Information Analysis: This step involved triangulation of data through bottom-up and top-down approaches to estimate and validate the total size and future estimate of the Malted Barley Market.
3. Report Formulation: The final step entailed the placement of data points in appropriate Market spaces in an attempt to deduce viable conclusions.
4. Validation & Publishing: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helped us finalize data points to be used for final calculations. The final Market estimates and forecasts were then aligned and sent to our panel of industry experts for validation of data. Once the validation was done the report was sent to our Quality Assurance team to ensure adherence to style guides, consistency & design.
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With the given market data, our dedicated team of analysts can offer you the following customization options are available for the Malted Barley Market:
Product Analysis: Product matrix, which offers a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of companies.
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global malted barley market size was valued at USD 3.06 Billion in 2023, poised to grow from USD 3.24 Billion in 2024 to USD 5.12 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% in the forecast period (2025–2032).
The global malted barley market revenue is fairly consolidated in a competitive market context that revolves around production scale, integration in supply chain, and the ability to meet quality and sustainability requirements, which continue to evolve over time. The leaders compete by offering customized malt profiles, securing long-term contracts with beverage manufacturers, and, in some cases, investing in automated malting plants. Companies are coming under more pressure to turn their attention to traceable sourcing and lowering their carbon footprint to differentiate themselves. For example, one of the global malting producers expanded its footprint in Europe by integrating digital traceability systems and sustainable agriculture contracts with local farmers who grew malting barley. 'Boortmalt – Belgium', 'Malteurop Groupe – France', 'Soufflet Group (Soufflet Malting) – France', 'Cargill Malt – United States', 'GrainCorp Malt – Australia', 'Simpsons Malt – United Kingdom', 'Bairds Malt Limited – United Kingdom', 'Muntons plc – United Kingdom', 'Rahr Corporation (Rahr Malting Co.) – United States', 'Axéréal (via Boortmalt Group) – France', 'Viking Malt – Finland', 'Maltexco – Chile', 'Coopers Maltings – Australia', 'Great Western Malting Company – United States', 'PureMalt Products Ltd. – United Kingdom'
The increasing global consumption of beer and whisky - and particularly the popularity of craft brewing - has raised the demand for malted barley. Breweries are demanding good quality malts to improve the level of taste, while new entrants along with microbreweries are expanding their capacity, leading to ongoing growth in demand in the malted barley market.
Expansion of Craft Brewing and Distilling: The global rise in craft breweries and boutique distilleries is increasing demand for specialty malted barley varieties. This demand stems from consumers wanting unique flavors derived from locally sourced products that are representative of a particular region. As a result, producers are tapping into small-batch malting techniques to create products with a local flavor component. The rise in interest is present in many areas around the world, but is most concentrated in North America and Europe, with increasing traction in parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
Which Region Currently Dominates the Global Malted Barley Market, and What’s Driving Its Dominance?
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