Asia-Pacific Malt Ingredient Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)

Asia-Pacific market utilizes malt ingredients in high amounts. Among all, barley malt is extensively used in the beverages that are alcohol-based. Barley is a common staple food and a popular cereal in many Asian countries surpassed only by wheat, corn and rice. Barley malt syrup or extract provides a healthy food supplement for households. In addition to being sweet, barley malt extract contains amino acids, vitamin B and easily digestible protein. It is a popular sugar substitute in health food products and a sweetener for tonic beverages. Barley malt extract mixed with cod liver oil can be used as a dietary supplement, especially for children.  The barley malt extract is also used as a laxative. Various industries use it to make non-alcoholic beer, malt vinegar, confections, flavoured drinks, and some baked goods. A high-protein form of malted barley is often used as an ingredient in blended flours typically used in the manufacturing of yeast bread and other baked goods.

India, being the largest whiskey market consumes thousands of tons of barley malt for the production of distilled spirits. In such a scenario, a regulation in the prices of malt ingredients is expected to foster the growth of the market in the near future. India is looking to import one million tonnes of Australian barley every year, which is expected to meet the rising demand, and result in an alcohol price drop in the country. Beer, whiskey and flavored alcoholic beverages are being benefitted through the trade deal as the reduction in the production cost will ultimately increase the revenue. On average, imported barley from countries other than Australia costs around INR 1,950-2,000 per quintal, while the Indian variety costs INR 1,875-1,900 per quintal. Thus, Australian malt barley is expected to perfectly cope up with the shortfall in supply to domestic breweries due to low domestic production.