French multinational Malteurop, the world’s third-largest maltster by stated annual production capacity behind Soufflet Malt and Boortmalt, will permanently close its malting plant in Marton, New Zealand, at the end of September 2026.
The plant was built in 1979 and is currently the country’s largest malting facility. Its closure will result in the loss of 14 direct jobs and affect barley growers in the lower North Island, particularly in the Rangitīkei, Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay regions. Malteurop is estimated to supply around 70 percent of New Zealand’s malt market.
The Marton plant is a major supplier to the country’s three large brewing groups, Lion, DB Breweries and Asahi Beverages, formerly Independent Liquor. A substantial share of the craft brewing sector also purchases Malteurop’s New Zealand malt through distributor Cryer Malt.
Cryer Malt is part of the craft distribution network of Soufflet Malt, which was created after French agricultural group InVivo completed its acquisition of United Malt Group in November 2023 (inside.beer, 2023-07-03). The combined business subsequently adopted the Soufflet Malt identity (inside.beer, 2024-10-17).
As a result, Cryer Malt should be able to offer craft brewers alternative imported products from Soufflet Malt’s international portfolio. However, the transition is unlikely to be seamless. New Zealand’s existing bulk-malt infrastructure was designed largely around deliveries by truck, while imported malt commonly arrives in shipping containers. Breweries changing malt suppliers may also have to adjust recipes because extract levels, enzyme activity, color and flavor can vary between maltsters.
The main remaining domestic producer is family-owned Gladfield Malt, based in Dunsandel, Canterbury. Founder Doug Michael said the company had expanded its capacity in anticipation of market changes and expected to gain business following Malteurop’s withdrawal. He stressed that sufficient malt would remain available from Gladfield and international suppliers.
DB Breweries has already said it intends to continue sourcing New Zealand malt from Gladfield while securing additional volumes from established overseas suppliers, including Australia. Lion said it was still assessing the implications and alternative supply options.
Imports are expected to come primarily from Australia. Malteurop’s plant in Geelong, Victoria, is reportedly capable of supplying the entire New Zealand market, while Soufflet Malt’s Barrett Burston operation also has substantial production capacity in the same region. Malteurop officially opened its expanded 200,000 t Geelong facility in 2018 (inside.beer, 2018-09-28).
The closure comes as New Zealand’s beer market contracts. According to Statistics New Zealand, the volume of beer available for domestic consumption fell by 10 percent to 265 million liters (2.65 million hl) in the year ended December 2025, the lowest level in the available statistical series.
Malteurop describes Marton as a malthouse with an annual capacity of approximately 42,000 t. However, the volume of barley purchased locally reportedly fell from a historical peak of around 26,000 t per year to between 6,000 and 7,000 t as more malting barley production shifted to the South Island.
Industry participants have also pointed to the age of the plant and the substantial investment that would have been required to extend its operating life. Malteurop itself has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the financial considerations behind the closure.
The withdrawal of the country’s largest malt buyer will remove an important premium crop option for some regional farmers. Growers unable to secure new malting contracts may have to switch to lower-value feed barley or other crops, or transport malting-grade barley over considerably longer distances.
The Marton site may nevertheless find a new agricultural use. Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said several companies had already expressed interest in the facility. Its assets include rail access and grain-storage capacity estimated at between 25,000 and 30,000 t.
The closure will therefore not necessarily create a physical malt shortage. Gladfield and overseas suppliers appear capable of replacing the volumes. However, New Zealand’s brewing industry will become more dependent on imported malt, while brewers face a potentially costly transition involving new logistics, supplier qualifications and recipe adjustments.
