Specialty Malt Market Report 2026

Specialty Malt Market Overview

• Specialty Malt market size has reached to $3.84 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $5.1 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% • Growth Driver: Craft Beer Surge Boosts Specialty Malt Market Demand • Market Trend: Specialty Malt Whisky Developments and Trends • North America was the largest region in 2025.

What Is Covered Under Specialty Malt Market?

Specialty malt refers to a variety of malts that differ in processing and grain type. Specialty malts frequently go through the same malting procedures as normal malts, but they've undergone additional treatments usually involving heat and moisture conditions intended to change their flavor, color, and functional properties. The main products of specialty malt are caramelized malt, roasted malt, and other products. Caramel malts provide beer with a distinct caramel flavor as a result of a further stewing process that occurs during malting, typically in a roasting drum, between germination and kilning. It is obtained from barley, rye, and wheat and found in dry specialty malts, and liquid form which is further used for dairy and frozen products, bakery and confectionery, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and other applications.

What Is The Specialty Malt Market Growth Forecast?

The specialty malt market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.1 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing innovation in specialty malt processing, rising demand from craft beverage producers, expansion of non-alcoholic malt applications, growing focus on premium ingredient sourcing, increasing adoption of customized malt solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for craft and specialty beverages, rising use of flavor-enhancing malt ingredients, expansion of specialty malt applications in food, increased customization of malt profiles, enhanced focus on quality and consistency.

Global Specialty Malt Market Segmentation

1) By Product: Caramelized Malt, Roasted Malt 2) By Source: Barley, Rye, Wheat 3) By Form: Dry Specialty Malts, Liquid Specialty Malts 4) By Application: Bakery And Confectionery, Alcoholic Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Beverages Subsegments: 1) By Caramelized Malt: Caramel Malt, Crystal Malt, Amber Malt 2) By Roasted Malt: Black Malt, Chocolate Malt

What Is The Driver Of The Specialty Malt Market?

Rising demand for craft beer is expected to propel the growth of the specialty malt market going forward. Craft beer is a type of beer produced by specialty breweries. They frequently operate independently and produce significantly less beer than large brewers. In the brewing process, malt is used to meet the carbohydrates required for fermentation and improve the mouthfeel of beer by lingering malt sweetness. Also, malt contains a wide range of nutrients, including silica and vitamin B, which are far more abundant in beer than in wine or any other spirits and are retained throughout the brewing process. Hence, the rising demand for craft beer will increase the demand for specialty malt. For instance, in August 2024, according to William Reed Ltd., a UK-based media company, active craft breweries increased from 9,339 in June 2023 to 9,358 in June 2024, reflecting continued category expansion. Therefore, the rising demand for craft beer is driving the demand for specialty malt industry.

What Is The Driver Of The Specialty Malt Market?

Rising demand for craft beer is expected to propel the growth of the specialty malt market going forward. Craft beer is a type of beer produced by specialty breweries. They frequently operate independently and produce significantly less beer than large brewers. In the brewing process, malt is used to meet the carbohydrates required for fermentation and improve the mouthfeel of beer by lingering malt sweetness. Also, malt contains a wide range of nutrients, including silica and vitamin B, which are far more abundant in beer than in wine or any other spirits and are retained throughout the brewing process. Hence, the rising demand for craft beer will increase the demand for specialty malt. For instance, in August 2024, according to William Reed Ltd., a UK-based media company, active craft breweries increased from 9,339 in June 2023 to 9,358 in June 2024, reflecting continued category expansion. Therefore, the rising demand for craft beer is driving the demand for specialty malt industry.

Global Specialty Malt Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the specialty malt market are focused on developing and innovating new products, such as the third single malt whisky, focusing on distinct flavor profiles and sustainable practices. Malt whisky refers to a type of whisky made primarily from malted barley and produced at a single distillery, known for its rich flavors and complexity, typically aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. For instance, in July 2024, Holyrood Distillery, a UK-based whisky company, launched Ambir. It offers a complex flavor profile, combining heritage malts and innovative techniques for a unique whisky experience. Moderate consumption may provide health benefits, such as improved heart health and cognitive function. It serves as both a cultural connection to Edinburgh's whisky tradition and a delightful choice for social gatherings.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Specialty Malt Market?

In March 2023, Malteries Soufflet, a France-based international maltster company, acquired Castle Malting for an undisclosed amount with this acquisition. Malteries Soufflet aims to expand its presence in the craft beer market and enhance its product offerings with a diverse range of specialty malts. This strategic move also supports their sustainability goals and global reach in the brewing industry. Castle Malting is a Belgium-based Belgian malting company, specializes in high-quality specialty malts that enhance beer flavor, color, and aroma.

Regional Outlook

North America was the largest region in the specialty malt market in 2025. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

What Defines the Specialty Malt Market?

The specialty malt market consists of sales of light munich malt, dark munich malt, dextrin malt, wheat malt, rye malt, and naked oat malt. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Specialty Malt Market Report 2026?

The specialty malt market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the specialty malt industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.