Market overview
The global distillers malt market is worth USD 911 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.3 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.8% CAGR. United Kingdom is the largest country market and Malted barley is the largest by grain segment.
| Scope | Malted barley and other malts produced to distillers' specifications for whisky and spirit production, including peated and unpeated grades. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 880 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 911 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 1.3 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,376,601 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 1,722,349 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 662 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Distillers Malt market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 910.8 mn |
| 2027 | USD 945.4 mn |
| 2028 | USD 981.3 mn |
| 2029 | USD 1.02 bn |
| 2030 | USD 1.06 bn |
| 2031 | USD 1.10 bn |
| 2032 | USD 1.14 bn |
| 2033 | USD 1.18 bn |
| 2034 | USD 1.23 bn |
| 2035 | USD 1.27 bn |
| 2036 | USD 1.32 bn |
Distillers Malt market segmentation
By grain
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malted barley | 76.0% | 73.7% | USD 692 mn | 3.5% |
| Rye and other malts | 12.0% | 13.4% | USD 109 mn | 5.0% |
| Wheat malt | 12.0% | 12.8% | USD 109 mn | 4.5% |
By spirit
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch malt whisky | 34.0% | 29.3% | USD 310 mn | 2.3% |
| American whiskey | 24.0% | 25.1% | USD 219 mn | 4.3% |
| Irish whiskey | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 128 mn | 3.8% |
| Indian and other whisky | 18.0% | 20.7% | USD 164 mn | 5.3% |
| Craft and other spirits | 10.0% | 11.0% | USD 91 mn | 4.8% |
By peat level
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unpeated | 72.0% | 68.0% | USD 656 mn | 3.2% |
| Light to medium peated | 16.0% | 17.0% | USD 146 mn | 4.4% |
| Heavily peated | 12.0% | 15.0% | USD 109 mn | 6.1% |
By distillery size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large distilleries | 64.0% | 59.0% | USD 583 mn | 3.0% |
| Mid-size distilleries | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 200 mn | 3.8% |
| Craft and micro distilleries | 14.0% | 19.0% | USD 128 mn | 7.0% |
By sourcing standard
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 72.0% | 62.0% | USD 656 mn | 2.3% |
| Sustainably farmed | 20.0% | 26.0% | USD 182 mn | 6.6% |
| Organic | 8.0% | 12.0% | USD 73 mn | 8.1% |
Top 25 countries for distillers malt by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 89.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 96.0%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Kingdom | USD 346 mn | 38.0% | USD 452 mn | 2.7% |
| 2 | United States | USD 146 mn | 16.0% | USD 231 mn | 4.7% |
| 3 | Ireland | USD 82 mn | 9.0% | USD 124 mn | 4.2% |
| 4 | India | USD 55 mn | 6.0% | USD 99 mn | 6.1% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 46 mn | 5.0% | USD 62 mn | 3.2% |
| 6 | Canada | USD 36 mn | 4.0% | USD 50 mn | 3.3% |
| 7 | Germany | USD 27 mn | 3.0% | USD 41 mn | 4.1% |
| 8 | France | USD 27 mn | 3.0% | USD 41 mn | 4.1% |
| 9 | Australia | USD 27 mn | 3.0% | USD 45 mn | 5.1% |
| 10 | Taiwan | USD 18 mn | 2.0% | USD 28 mn | 4.3% |
| 11 | Sweden | USD 8.1 mn | 0.9% | USD 12 mn | 4.0% |
| 12 | Denmark | USD 7.3 mn | 0.8% | USD 11 mn | 4.1% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 6.6 mn | 0.7% | USD 9.8 mn | 4.1% |
| 14 | Belgium | USD 5.9 mn | 0.7% | USD 8.7 mn | 4.0% |
| 15 | South Korea | USD 5.3 mn | 0.6% | USD 7.8 mn | 4.0% |
| 16 | Spain | USD 4.7 mn | 0.5% | USD 7.0 mn | 4.0% |
| 17 | Italy | USD 4.3 mn | 0.5% | USD 6.3 mn | 4.0% |
| 18 | Mexico | USD 3.8 mn | 0.4% | USD 5.7 mn | 4.0% |
| 19 | China | USD 3.5 mn | 0.4% | USD 5.7 mn | 5.1% |
| 20 | Finland | USD 3.1 mn | 0.3% | USD 4.6 mn | 4.1% |
| 21 | Poland | USD 2.8 mn | 0.3% | USD 4.2 mn | 4.1% |
| 22 | Czech Republic | USD 2.5 mn | 0.3% | USD 3.8 mn | 4.2% |
| 23 | South Africa | USD 2.3 mn | 0.2% | USD 3.4 mn | 4.2% |
| 24 | New Zealand | USD 2.1 mn | 0.2% | USD 3.2 mn | 4.2% |
| 25 | Brazil | USD 1.8 mn | 0.2% | USD 2.6 mn | 3.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 36 mn | 4.0% | USD 52 mn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Boortmalt
- Malteurop
- Cargill
- Soufflet
- Rahr Malting
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Simpsons Malt
- Crisp Malt
- Muntons
- Bairds Malt
- Thomas Fawcett & Sons
- Minch Malt
- Dingemans
- Canada Malting
- Tuckers Maltings
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Warminster Maltings
- Viking Malt
- Glenesk Maltings
- Weyermann
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the distillers malt market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 3.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grain, by spirit, by peat level, by distillery size, by sourcing standard. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the distillers malt market?
The global distillers malt market is estimated at USD 880 mn in 2025 and USD 911 mn in 2026.
How fast will the distillers malt market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 1.3 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 412 mn.
Which country is the largest market for distillers malt?
United Kingdom is the largest market by revenue at USD 346 mn in 2026, 38.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 63.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 6.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which distillers malt segment is largest?
In the by grain split, Malted barley is the largest segment with 76.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading distillers malt companies?
Global leaders include Boortmalt, Malteurop, Cargill, Soufflet.
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