The global specialty malt market was valued at USD 3,102.4 million in 2024. The demand for specialty malt is expected to increase in 2025 compared to the previous year, which will drive the international market to USD 3,201.7 million in 2025. The global sales during the forecast period (2025-2035) are expected to reach a 3.7% CAGR, totaling USD 4,599.4 million by the end of 2035.
Overview of the Specialty Malts Market - Specialty malts are gaining popularity due to their significant contribution to enhancing flavor, color, and aroma in various food and beverage products, particularly in brewed products.
This is partly due to the surge in demand for specialty malts, such as roasted, caramel, and chocolate malts, as global craft beer production continues to expand. Larger and smaller craft breweries are finding these malts to get complex and niche flavor profiles for consumers, and this is a more premium range.
Industry players such as Malteurop, Simpsons Malt, and Bairds Malt are launching ranges to capitalize on rising demand from craft brewers and large beverage groups. Speciality malt uses such as breakfast cereals, bakery food, and confectionery are opening the market up to beyond beer brewing.
Consumers' consumption is shifting toward differentiated, hand-brewed specials. The pattern is most observed in Europe and North America as homebrew and microbrews gain momentum. In addition to this, innovations in technology concerning malt processing, along with continued development on specialty malts being organic and non-GMO, are leading toward green consumption tendencies.
Asia Pacific and Latin American emerging economies have beer consumption and craft beer segments growth driven by increased disposable incomes and urbanization, and the same is driving demand for specialty malts in these economies.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Specialty Malt Market Size (2025E) | USD 3,201.7 million |
| Projected Global Specialty Malt Market Value (2035F) | USD 4,599.4 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 3.7% |
The specialty malt's unique characteristic to impart various flavors including nutty, chocolatey, smoky and caramel-like is encouraging experimentation and product differentiation in food & beverage sectors. Despite this, specialty malt remains a key driver in aligning products with premiumisation and experiential consumption trends.
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The table below presents a comparative assessment of the variation in CAGR over six months for the base year (2024) and current year (2025) for the global specialty malt industry. This analysis reveals crucial shifts in performance and indicates revenue realization patterns, providing stakeholders with a clearer vision of the growth trajectory for the year.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 3.4% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 3.6% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 3.6% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 3.7% |
The global specialty malt market is estimated to be valued at approximately USD 3,201.7 million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% in the first half of the decade between 2025 and 2035. During the second half of the same decade, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7%. Year-over-year, the CAGR in H1 was stable, and in H2, it increased by 10 basis points, indicating a steady growth trend as unique, premium ingredients are in demand in both mature and emerging markets.
The Tier 1 specialty malt market is driven by large-scale, vertically integrated companies that generate substantial global revenues, boast broad market coverage, and maintain diversified malt portfolios. These businesses feature enormous brand value and rich spending on new malt technologies, sustainability applications, and worldwide supply chain efficiencies.
Boortmalt (an Axéréal company) is one of the world's largest maltsters, producing a diverse range of specialty malts, including caramel, roasted, and smoked malts, for industrial and craft brewers worldwide. Another notable player is Malteurop Groupe, renowned for supplying both standard and specialty malt solutions to meet the specific requirements of brewing and distilling in its extensive global footprint.
Importantly, the leader in this product vertical is Cargill's Malting Division, which provides technical expertise, tailored malt blends, and sustainable sourcing schemes to both multinationals and premium brands.
Tier 2 includes regional players and niche malt makers with established market presence and local brand presence in select geographies. They are not as comprehensive as Tier 1 firms, but they provide high-quality, craft-focused malt varieties. Weyermann Specialty Malts (Germany), for instance, is known globally for types of artisan malts and a historic reputation with craft brewers and distillers.
Bairds Malt (UK) has a huge presence within Europe, ranging from traditional ale, lager or whisky base malts, alongside specialty malts. The Tier 2 firms compete based on unique product differentiation, historical legacy, and established relationships with regional breweries.
Tier 3 comprises small, emerging malt houses and micro-maltsters with niche market positioning. These players primarily focus on organic, non-GMO, and heritage grain malts, catering to local craft breweries, distilleries, and homebrewers.
Those include Riverbend Malt House and Skagit Valley Malting in the USA, which are known for their locally sourced grains, small-batch production and ability to custom roast. Although these companies have a limited distribution network, they are thriving in direct sales models, farm-to-glass marketing schemes, and even through partnerships with craft producers seeking locally inspired malt flavors.
Surge in the Craft Beer Segment is Fueling Demand for Premium Specialty Malts
Shift: The international craft beer revolution is transforming the malt world. Because they want their beer to be authentic, regional and unique in flavor, they’re incorporating specialty malts, including caramel, chocolate, smoked and Vienna malts. Standard base malts cannot provide the complexity, mouthfeel and color that craft breweries are now dialing in; they need other ingredients.
As more and more microbreweries and home brewers spread across North America, Europe and Australia, they are accelerating this shift, making specialty malts a key component in producing original beer styles such as stouts, porters, amber ales and IPAs.
Strategic Response: Weyermann® Specialty Malts (Germany): To capitalize on this trend, Weyermann offers over 85 types of specialty malts appropriate for different beer styles and exported worldwide. In its craft brewer partnerships, Weyermann also invested in small-batch roasting facilities to fulfill custom orders from boutique breweries. The Weyermann Academy and other educational initiatives have enabled brewers to maximize the potential of their malt, resulting in a 14% year-over-year increase in sales in the USA and Europe in 2024.
Kettle and Cooler: The Rise in Demand for Specialty Malts in NA and Functional Beverages
Shift: In response to health-conscious demand, the market for whiskies, NA and low-alcohol beers is soaring particularly in Europe, North America, and East Asia. NA beers lack the depth typically found in their alcoholic counterparts due to minimal fermentation, but specialty malts help broaden the mouthfeel, body, and flavor.
Functional malt beverages - those infused with vitamins, adaptogens or botanicals - are also emerging in health-centric markets. It follows the growing mindfulness trends around drinking and the demand for better quality alcohol alternatives.
Strategic Response: Viking Malt (Finland) Viking Malt launched a series of malts specifically for NA and functional beverages, such as its Munich Light, Crystal Medium, and Melanoidin-rich malts, to address flavour loss in low-alcohol brewing.
The company collaborated with NA craft brewers in Germany and South Korea, providing technical expertise in optimizing malt for non-alcoholic (NA) recipes. Viking also teamed up with functional beverage startups to furnish them with malt extracts loaded with fiber and antioxidants, placing specialty malts beyond brewing. In 2024, these innovations drove a 19% increase in specialty malt sales in NA beverage applications.)
Specialty Malts Making Inroads into Bakery, Confectionery & Snack Segments
Shift: Numerous specialty malts are now also used in baking, confectionery, and snack products, as they impart natural sweetness, caramel notes, color, and Maillard-driven flavour. Consumers are demanding clean-label, artisanal foods, and manufacturers are swapping out the likes of artificial additives for malt extracts and powders.
Malt is also now being used for binding and flavor enhancement in high-protein and energy-dense snack bar products. Sustainable Growth As Retailers In Western Europe, North America And Japan Stock Premium Baked Goods And Snacks
Strategic Response: Simpsons Malt (UK): Simpsons launched food-grade malt extracts were made from light caramel and biscuit malts, expanding its presence in the culinary and functional foods market. Premium bakeries and confectioners in the UK and Canada have adopted these products, making malted cookies, granola bars and dessert toppings.
Simpsons also collaborated with premium ice cream and cereal companies, aiding in the infusion of natural malt flavor into upscale product lines. In 2024, it launched its Malted Ingredients for Food Program, which boosted nonbrewing malt sales by 12%.
The Emerging Trend of Organic and Heritage Grain Specialty Malts to Meet Sustainable Demands
Shift: Consumers are increasingly opting for organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, thereby broadening the demand for organic-certified specialty malts and malts made from heritage or ancient grains. These malts appeal to brewers and food producers who want to showcase sustainability credentials, and North American and European consumers will pay a premium for products that can be traced to eco-conscientious sourcing.
Strategic Response: Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. (USA) » Briess introduced a range of organic specialty malts as well as heritage grains including organic chocolate malt, organic pale malt, heirloom barley malts. The company highlighted its farm-to-glass model, which provides full traceability and the reduction of carbon footprint in farming.
Briess also supported regenerative agriculture programs to ensure long-term sustainability. Working with organic-certified breweries in the USA and natural food companies, organic malt-infusion bread, crackers, and beers were successfully introduced to the marketplace, resulting in an increase of 18 percent year-on-year growth in Briess’s organic malt revenue in 2024.
Increasing Demand for Specialty Malts in Craft Distilling for Premium Spirits
Shift: As in brewing, specialty malts are becoming increasingly important in craft distilling, especially in whiskeys, gins, ryes, and even malted vodkas. Distillers use peated, roasted, and caramel malts to add depth, character, and signature flavors to small-batch spirits. The increasing demand for premium, artisanal spirits across Europe, North America and Southeast Asia is driving interest in unique malt profiles that will help craft spirits stand out.
Strategic Response: Malteries Soufflet began to develop their position in the craft distilling space and launched their Distillers’ Select line of malts, including peated, roasted and smoked malts. It teamed with French, Scandinavian and Japanese craft distilleries, providing tailor-made malt blends and expertise in flavor optimization.
Soufflet’s malts have been featured in award-winning whiskeys and in botanical gins, boosting the company’s reputation in the distilling business. Malt sales for premium spirit applications increased by 22% following the 2024 launch of a dedicated distilling malt production facility.
The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top five territories. These are set to exhibit high consumption through 2035.
| Countries | CAGR, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.2% |
| Germany | 4.7% |
| China | 5.5% |
| Japan | 4.3% |
| India | 5.9% |
The craft brewing industry in the country is driving the specialty malt market in the USA. All this is enhanced by specialty malts like roasted, caramel, and chocolate malts, as consumers seek unique beer flavors, colors, and aromas. It is fueling demand among microbreweries and artisanal distilleries that want to serve distinctive, high-quality drinks.
The alcoholic beverage industry has witnessed a trend toward premiumization, which has led to the increased use of specialty malt in small-batch liquors and malt-based ready-to-drink cocktails. Specialty malt is also being used in food applications for flavor enhancement, natural coloring and functional properties in bakery, confectionery and cereal products. Its appeal is bolstered among USA consumers by clean-label and non-GMO preferences, too.
Germany's beer culture is pervasive, and there are strict rules governing brewing practices, including the Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law), meaning its specialty malt market is robust. Malt types: Specialty malts- you’ll want Munich, Vienna, and Pilsner malts for passing the droop test to build up signature German beers like Märzen, Bock, and Dunkel.
There are thousands of breweries, including many family-run and craft operations, and the demand for unique malt profiles is still strong. Germany's rising demand for organic and sustainable ingredients also prompts maltsters to produce sustainable specialty malts, appealing to both health-conscious consumers and breweries alike. Speciality malt is also taking off in the premium baking segment in Germany, lending rich flavours and natural colour to artisanal breads and pastries.
Text-based Description: The specialty malt market in China is growing rapidly, driven by beer consumption, especially the trend toward premium and craft beers among urban consumers. Local breweries were rolling out ales and stouts and lagers brewed with specialty malts to set themselves apart from the mass-market makers.
Specialty malt is high in natural sweetness and coloration, it is also valuable in food applications like sauces, snacks and baked goods. With the development of its own malt production facilities, China is undoubtedly seeing broader access and lower pricing of these specialty malts. With a large middle class and demand for high-quality, different flavors, both beverage and food applications will continue to grow.
The specialty malt market in Japan is also led by consumer interest in a premium beverage as well as innovative food products. It adds complexity to flavor palettes, and Japanese breweries and distilleries have also adopted specialty malts in the production of craft beers, whiskies and shōchū.
Emphasizes food safety and quality standards so specialty malt is regarded as a high-value ingredient. The specialty malt application is utilized largely in Japan's food industry, highlighting flavoring, coloring, and functional benefits in ready-to-eat meals, sauces, and bakery products. Growing need for clean-label and naturally sourced ingredients complements the use of specialty malt across traditional as well as modern food & beverages products.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Dry Specialty Malts (By Form) | 57.3% |
The growing popularity of craft brewing has positively impacted the demand for dry specialty malts, which also accounts for maximum market share at the moment. They have a longer shelf life, easier storage, and easier handling characteristics that make them very popular for both small-scale and industrial brewing and baking processes.
Brewers and bakers have precise control over moisture levels, which is essential for achieving product quality and consistency, thanks to their stability and versatility. As the international craft beer movement expands its reach, especially throughout North America and Europe, so does demand for varied malt profiles with the potential to deliver multifaceted flavor, color, and aroma experiences.
This innovation relies on dry specialty malts, providing customizable options that enable craft brewers to try new beer styles and formulations. Such flexibility is especially important in a market where customers' tastes increasingly trend toward artisanal and high-quality products.
And, most significantly, home brewing is booming, with dry malts among the favorites fans as they are easier and available in many brewing kits. This trend is being capitalized on by leading malt producers, who are broadening their dry malt portfolios with new blends for niche markets and improving product traceability. In general, the shift toward dry specialty malts is likely to remain strong - the craft brewing industry remains innovative and artisanal food and beverage producers increasingly adopt specialty malts.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Barley (By Source) | 62.8% |
Barley remains the superior raw material for specialty malts due to its high enzymatic power, its high starch content and its ability to give the beer a great deal of flavor and other characteristics. But its versatility in common malting operational practices such as kilning, roasting, and caramelizing sets it apart as the most versatile grain for numerous applications, from brewing to distillation to baking.
Barley malts contribute beneficial characteristics like maltiness, mouthfeel, and fermentation yield that are necessary for the production of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic malt beverages. As a result, barley has become made the brewer's and distiller's grain of choice, leading to more complexz and deeper flavor profiles.
The value of barley malts in the food industry has also been driven by the clean-label advantage that barley has to offer, as health-conscious consumers have led demand for natural and wholesome food ingredients.
They are investing in local sustainable barley farms to guarantee a steady and sustainable supply of good-quality product. This not only caters to consumers’ growing sustainability demands but also enables firms to promote their products as environmentally friendly.
Western countries such as North America and Europe lead the global market for malt-based spirits & beer, using barley malt as a key ingredient with product inventiveness towards alcoholic beverages. Verifying artisan products and thus diversifying their product lines to improve the particularity and the individuality of their products, the sophisticated brewers can not go unnoticed by the limited-season barley malts that arrive on the market from specialized malt producers. Barley will remain king of the specialty malts market globally, thanks to its unique functionality and sensory contribution.
Major companies such as Malteurop Groupe and Viking Malt are capable of expanding their market share in the Specialty Malt Market through product development, brand recognition, and innovation. These companies have raised the bar for brewers, distillers, and food manufacturers, too, by supplying specialty malts in every taste and variety from caramel and roasted malts to smoked and chocolate malts.
The breadth of their portfolio enables them to meet the varied flavor, color, and aroma needs of both craft and large-scale beverage producers so they remain competitive in a product-differentiation-focused market.
Furthermore, rigorous innovation regarding new types of malts and sustainable supply chain management enables these producers to ride the wave of growing demand for artisanal, premium, and environmentally-friendly products.
The specialty malt market holds immense potential through collaborations with craft breweries, distilleries, and food ingredient manufacturers. Demand from beverage brands finding new flavor profiles to align with has helped malt producers gain a brand leg-up while also capitalizing on emerging consumer trends such as craft beer, flavored spirits and malt-based foods.
For instance
The global industry is estimated at a value of USD 3,201.7 million in 2025.
Some of the leaders in this industry include London Dairy Co. Ltd (UK), Inc (USA), Conagra Brands, Daiya Foods Inc. (Canada), General Mills Inc. (USA), Grupo Bimbo S.A.B.de C.V.(Mexico), Associated British Foods PLC (UK), Lantmännen Unibake (Denmark), and Others.
The European region is projected to hold a revenue share of 38.6% over the forecast period.
The industry is projected to grow at a forecast CAGR of 3.7% from 2025 to 2035.
By application, the industry has been categorized into Distilling, Brewing, Baking, and Non-alcoholic Malt Beverages.
By source, the industry has been categorized into Barley, Rye, and Wheat.
By form, the industry has been categorized into Dry Specialty Malts and Liquid Specialty Malts.
Industry analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Balkans & Baltic, Russia & Belarus, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.
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Specialty Malt Market
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