World malt production for 2003 is estimated at 18,500,000 tonnes of malt with a share of 40% for the EU. Within the EU Germany is the biggest producer of malt. Central and Eastern Europe are growth markets. An improving standard of living makes beer consumption bigger and hence also the demand for malt. Malting plants in these parts of Europe are also increasing production. No less than 30% of all the malt produced within the EU is exported with France at first place, followed by Germany and Belgium, according to Federation of Belgian Maltsters. today 5 Belgian maltsters produce about 625,000 tones of malt.

03 December, 2003