In the second half of 2025, the malted barley market stayed mostly under pressure as both demand and wider grain movements worked against any strong recovery. Across the UK, usage by brewers, maltsters, and distillers remained below normal, even though a small rise was seen in late summer. This increase was helped by warm weather and confidence surrounding the UK-India trade agreement, but overall consumption from July to December still stayed weaker than the year before.
Premiums for malting quality barley stayed low through most of H2 because supplies were comfortable and exports did not show any major improvement. A large carry-in from the previous season also kept the market well supplied, limiting any upward movement. Conditions in Ukraine added further softness, where demand for malting barley was almost absent, and malt producers struggled to sell in export markets due to strong European competition and local energy issues.
Global factors also played a role. Late-year forecasts showed higher barley production in major exporters, which increased pressure on international markets. At the same time, falling feed grain values reduced support for malting grades, narrowing the difference between quality barley and feed barley.
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The first half of 2025 saw malted barley markets shaped by shifting consumption patterns, trade developments, and tariff-related pressures. In the United States, demand from brewers and maltsters weakened further as beer consumption continued its long-term decline, reaching the lowest levels in decades.
The reduced uptake from the brewing sector coincided with competition from alternative alcoholic beverages, while younger demographics increasingly moved away from alcohol altogether. This decline in end-use consumption contributed to limited buying interest from domestic maltsters.
Trade dynamics played a significant role in market activity. U.S. farmers faced financial strain as tariffs disrupted key export flows. Canada implemented tariffs on U.S. barley and agricultural goods, dampening exports and raising the cost of imported farm inputs such as fertilizer and crop chemicals. Mexico, a major importer of U.S. malt, raised concerns about potential retaliatory tariffs, which added further uncertainty to trade flows. Higher costs for brewing materials, including aluminium and steel used in kegs and cans, also added to the challenges faced by the brewing sector.
The barley that is classified for use in malting is referred to as Malted Barley. The major difference between malting barley and feed barley is that the strains of barley, which are categorised as malting barleys possess certain genetic qualities. These genetic qualities, which include lower protein and beta glucan amounts along with higher enzyme levels, are responsible for making it better for brewing.
Malted Barley is basically the source of the sugars (mainly maltose) that is fermented into beer. Malted barley is further used to adjust enzymatic activities in baking applications, thus, helping bakers shorten mix times and create browning characteristics.
Alcoholic beverages, Barley breads , Other Baked goods
Soufflet Group, Ardent Mills, Malteurop Groupe, GrainCorp Malt Group, Boortmalt Group
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
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In order to produce malting barley, barley is initially immersed in water to encourage the grain to sprout. It is then dryed to halt the progress of the barley when the sprouting begins.
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