UK: Malt consumption up 1.2% in 2024

For the third year in a row, the UK recorded growth in consumption of malt (not roasted), which increased by 1.2% to 1.2 mln tonnes in 2024, IndexBox reported.

Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 7.3%. Not roasted malt consumption peaked at 1.4 mln tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The size of the not roasted malt market in the UK amounted to $802M in 2024, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Overall, consumption, however, saw a slight decline. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $998M. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Not roasted malt production in the UK was estimated at 1.2 mln tonnes in 2024, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 4.4% against the previous year. Not roasted malt production peaked at 1.5 mln tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, not roasted malt production reached $825M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.1B. From 2021 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

For the fourth consecutive year, the UK recorded growth in supplies from abroad of malt (not roasted), which increased by 7.6% to 100 thousand tonnes in 2024. In general, imports showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 85%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 102 thousand tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, not roasted malt imports soared to $89M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 109%. Imports peaked in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Ireland (39 thousand tonnes), Sweden (35 thousand tonnes) and Germany (20 thousand tonnes) were the main suppliers of not roasted malt imports to the UK, together comprising 94% of total imports. Belgium lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 5.8%. From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +101.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest not roasted malt suppliers to the UK were Sweden ($35M), Ireland ($34M) and Germany ($16M), together comprising 95% of total imports. Belgium lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 4.2%. Belgium, with a CAGR of +100.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Import

In 2024, shipments abroad of malt (not roasted) decreased by -5.3% to 110 thousand tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 77%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at 228 thousand tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, not roasted malt exports fell to $112M in 2024. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $124M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Japan (54 thousand tonnes) was the main destination for not roasted malt exports from the UK, with a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, not roasted malt exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (16 thousand tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Thailand (6.8 thousand tonnes), with a 6.2% share. From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan stood at -3.1%.

Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-1.7% per year) and Thailand (+2.0% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($57M) remains the key foreign market for malt (not roasted) exports from the UK, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($16M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 6.5% share. From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-0.7% per year) and Thailand (+7.9% per year).

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .