Specialty Malt Market Size and Top Companies

The global specialty malt market is undergoing exciting growth as we head into 2025. Valued at USD 3.94 billion in 2024, the market is set to rise to USD 4.08 billion in 2025, with projections to reach approximately USD 5.56 billion by 2034. This represents a solid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2025 to 2034. What makes this year especially relevant? The rise of craft beer culture, coupled with innovations in malt production, is fueling demand across several key sectors, including brewing, distilling, and non-alcoholic malt beverages. But what does this mean for industry players and buyers alike?

Key Takeaways for 2025

The specialty malt market will grow at a steady pace, with an estimated market size of USD 4.08 billion in 2025.
North America remains the dominant player in the market due to a surge in craft breweries and demand for high-quality beers.
Asia Pacific is emerging as a fast-growing region, driven by local breweries and technological advancements in malt production.
The brewing segment continues to lead in market share, but the distilling sector is expected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period.
Liquid specialty malts are gaining traction, particularly among craft brewers and homebrewers, due to their convenience and ease of use.

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2025 Buyer Playbook: What Drives Purchase Decisions?

For buyers in the specialty malt market, understanding the factors that drive decisions is crucial in navigating this evolving landscape. Key drivers for purchase decisions include:

Product Quality and Variety: Craft breweries and distillers seek out unique malts to create distinctive flavors, aromas, and colors. Specialty malts offer a level of customization that standard malts cannot, making them a preferred choice for those looking to stand out in the crowded craft beverage market.
Innovation in Product Development: Buyers are keen on sourcing from companies that lead the way in innovation. This includes the development of sustainable, energy-efficient malts, as well as malt varieties that cater to emerging consumer preferences such as gluten-free and non-alcoholic options.
Supply Chain and Availability: Given the seasonal nature of barley and other grains used for malting, reliable supply chains are critical. Buyers value suppliers with stable, transparent sourcing practices that ensure consistent product availability year-round.
Cost and Sustainability: Increasing demand for eco-friendly products is shifting buyer preferences towards suppliers with sustainable practices. Additionally, cost efficiency in procurement and transportation (especially in dry malt form) plays a significant role in decision-making.
Brand Reputation and Customer Support: Buyers prefer companies with a proven track record of quality, customer support, and reliability. Trusted brands often win repeat business, especially in a market where quality consistency is paramount.

In-Depth Company Profiles: The Market Leaders in 2025

Let’s take a closer look at the major players shaping the specialty malt market in 2025.

1. Groupe Soufflet

Overview: Groupe Soufflet is one of the world’s leading malt producers, offering a range of high-quality malts for brewing, distilling, and food production.
Recent Moves: Recently, Soufflet announced its expansion into Asia, investing in new facilities to meet the growing demand for premium malts in the region.
Competitive Edge: Groupe Soufflet stands out for its global reach and commitment to innovation. Its extensive research and development in malting technology set it apart from competitors.
Future Outlook: With growing demand in emerging markets, particularly Asia Pacific, Groupe Soufflet is well-positioned for long-term growth, especially in the craft beer sector.

2. Malteurop Group

Overview: Malteurop Group is a global leader in malt production, supplying a broad range of malts to industries like brewing and distilling.
Recent Moves: In 2024, Malteurop acquired a malting facility in the U.S. to enhance its supply chain capabilities and serve the growing craft beer market.
Competitive Edge: Malteurop’s advanced malting processes and large-scale operations enable it to provide consistent, high-quality malts at competitive prices.
Future Outlook: The company’s robust infrastructure and investments in sustainability will help it maintain leadership in the market, particularly in North America.

3. Crisp Malting Group Limited

Overview: Crisp Malting Group is a UK-based company known for its wide array of specialty malts.
Recent Moves: Crisp recently launched a new line of malt varieties designed for non-alcoholic beverages, catering to the rising demand for healthier drinks.
Competitive Edge: Crisp’s focus on providing innovative and sustainable malts, including gluten-free options, makes it a preferred partner for breweries looking to diversify their product offerings.
Future Outlook: Crisp is expanding its presence in North America and is expected to benefit from the rise in non-alcoholic beverages and gluten-free products.

4. Muntons

Overview: Muntons is a global malt manufacturer with a strong presence in both the brewing and food industries.
Recent Moves: Muntons recently launched a new range of organic specialty malts, capitalizing on the growing demand for organic and sustainable products.
Competitive Edge: Muntons’ emphasis on organic and clean-label products gives it a unique position in the market, particularly with environmentally-conscious consumers.
Future Outlook: With increasing consumer demand for organic and sustainable options, Muntons is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the specialty malt market.

5. Viking Malt

Overview: Viking Malt is a leading supplier of malts in the Nordic and Baltic regions, offering a variety of specialty malts for brewing and food applications.
Recent Moves: Viking Malt has been expanding its operations into Asia, leveraging the growing interest in craft beer and premium malts in markets like China and India.
Competitive Edge: Viking Malt’s deep knowledge of European malting processes and its innovative approach to product development make it a strong player in the premium malt sector.
Future Outlook: Viking Malt’s global expansion, especially in Asia, positions it for significant growth over the next decade.

6. Cargill

Overview: Cargill is a global powerhouse in food and agricultural products, including specialty malts used in brewing, baking, and distilling.
Recent Moves: Cargill recently invested in R&D to improve the malting process, focusing on sustainability and efficiency to meet the increasing demand for specialty malts.
Competitive Edge: Cargill’s extensive supply chain and ability to scale production efficiently give it a significant edge in the competitive specialty malt market.
Future Outlook: Cargill’s large-scale operations and innovation in sustainable practices position it as a key player in the future of specialty malts.

7. GrainCorp

Overview: GrainCorp is an Australian company that supplies specialty malts for brewing, distilling, and food products.
Recent Moves: GrainCorp has been focusing on enhancing its malting facilities and improving its offerings for the craft beer segment.
Competitive Edge: GrainCorp’s strong supply chain and emphasis on quality control set it apart, particularly in the craft beer market.
Future Outlook: The increasing global demand for craft beer and premium malt-based beverages will likely drive GrainCorp’s continued expansion.

8. Malt Products Corporation

Overview: Malt Products Corporation is a leading supplier of specialty malts, focusing on providing high-quality malts for brewing, baking, and food applications.
Recent Moves: Malt Products Corporation has increased its R&D efforts to develop new malt varieties that cater to the growing demand for gluten-free and non-alcoholic beverages.
Competitive Edge: Malt Products Corporation’s strong customer relationships and focus on product customization provide it with a unique competitive edge in the market.
Future Outlook: With the growing popularity of gluten-free products and non-alcoholic drinks, Malt Products Corporation is poised for continued growth.

9. Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.

Overview: Briess is a U.S.-based company known for its innovative specialty malts used in brewing and food applications.
Recent Moves: Briess has been expanding its product offerings to include more sustainable and health-focused malts, such as those used in gluten-free and non-alcoholic beverages.
Competitive Edge: Briess’s ability to innovate and develop new malt varieties tailored to emerging consumer trends gives it a strong competitive advantage.
Future Outlook: Briess is well-positioned to grow as the demand for healthier and more diverse malt-based products continues to rise.

10. IREKS GmbH

Overview: IREKS is a German company specializing in the production of specialty malts for the brewing, baking, and food industries.
Recent Moves: IREKS has been focusing on sustainability and developing new malt varieties for health-conscious consumers, including gluten-free options.
Competitive Edge: IREKS is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, making it a trusted partner for breweries and food manufacturers.
Future Outlook: With the growing demand for gluten-free and organic products, IREKS is expected to continue expanding its market share, particularly in Europe and North America.

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Why Competition Is Intensifying

The competition in the specialty malt market is intensifying as companies strive to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market. The growing demand for craft beers, non-alcoholic beverages, and gluten-free options is pushing suppliers to innovate and offer unique malt varieties. Additionally, the rise of sustainable practices and consumer preference for clean-label products has created new challenges and opportunities for companies to stand out. With new entrants emerging and established players expanding their portfolios, the competition will continue to heat up as the market grows.

What’s Next: 2025-2030 Outlook

The specialty malt market is expected to continue its upward trajectory through 2030, driven by ongoing innovation and the increasing popularity of premium and craft beverages. As technological advancements improve malt production efficiency and sustainability, companies will be able to meet the growing consumer demand for diverse, high-quality products. The next decade will likely see significant growth in Asia Pacific, as local breweries and distilleries tap into the expanding craft beer and health beverage markets.

Future Outlook

For buyers, investors, and industry leaders, the specialty malt market offers exciting opportunities. As consumer preferences shift toward craft, premium, and healthy beverages, there is substantial potential for growth. Companies that invest in innovation, sustainability, and meeting emerging trends will be well-positioned to lead the market in the years to come. Now is the time for stakeholders to act strategically and tap into the opportunities presented by this rapidly evolving market.

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