Australia & India: Australian malting barley makes its debut in the Indian market

Australia’s premium malting barley has made its debut in the Indian market, marking a significant milestone in the agricultural and trade relationship between the two nations, The Australia Today reported on May 11.

This exciting development comes as a result of a collaboration between Joe White Maltings, a leading Australian malting supplier, and The Catalysts Group, a specialist in biotech solutions for the brewing and distilling industries.

The launch event took place at the Tipsy Bull Brewhouse in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where the focus was on the innovative #CollabBrew initiative, which brings together Australian malts and the creative energy of Indian craft brewers.

Australia has long been a major player in the global malting barley market, producing around 12 million metric tonnes (MMT) of barley annually. Between 30% to 40% of this is allocated for malting, with the rest used for animal feed or food production.

The country is responsible for supplying approximately 30% to 40% of the world’s malting barley, prized for its high germination rates, uniform malting characteristics, and excellent extract yields. These traits make Australian barley ideal for beer production and distilling spirits such as malt whiskey and Japanese shochu.

The Australian barley industry is concentrated in the regions of Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. Each year, between 55% to 70% of Australia’s barley is exported, with key markets in China, the Middle East, and Japan. With India’s beer consumption on the rise, the Indian market presents a promising new frontier for Australian barley suppliers.

The partnership between Joe White Maltings and The Catalysts Group has been made possible through the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AIECTA). This agreement has enabled smoother trade flows between the two countries and has provided Australian farmers with new opportunities in India.

In 2020, India’s approval of phosphine fumigation for malting barley and in-transit cold treatment for fruits has been a game-changer, allowing Australian producers to access the lucrative Indian market. India’s malt market is estimated at 500,000 tonnes, valued at over $100 million, and this market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

The Australian government views this as a strategic opportunity to boost exports and support farmers, with the goal of establishing Australian barley as a key player in India’s expanding beer market.

As pointed above, beer consumption in India is still smaller than in East Asian countries, but with the country’s expanding middle class and growing interest in craft beers, the market is expected to expand rapidly.

The launch of Aussie Pils, a crisp, refreshing lager brewed with Australian barley and Kiwi hops, marks the beginning of this exciting collaboration. The Tipsy Bull Brewhouse, a trendy venue, provided the perfect setting for the debut of this new beer. The event demonstrated how Australian barley can be combined with Indian creativity to produce unique and high-quality beers that appeal to local tastes.

Australian barley is already well known for its high-quality malting characteristics, which are essential for brewing a wide variety of beer styles. Aussie Pils is the first of many products to showcase Australian barley in India, and its success could pave the way for more Australian beers to enter the Indian market. The combination of Australian barley and Kiwi hops offers a fresh take on traditional beer styles and is expected to resonate with India’s growing craft beer scene.

This partnership between Joe White Maltings, The Catalysts Group, and Tipsy Bull Brewhouse is more than just a collaboration between two industries; it is a demonstration of how global trade and innovation can foster new opportunities and create lasting economic connections. The collaboration highlights the potential of expanding trade between Australia and India, particularly in the agricultural and food production sectors.

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