Soufflet Malt redistributes capacity in Europe: Durst Malz closure reflects structural problems of the German market

Soufflet Malt Group (InVivo) has announced the phasing out of production at the last two Durst Malz malteries in Germany: the Heidelsheim site will be shut down by the end of December 2025, and the Gernsheim plant in the first quarter of 2026. The company explains the solution to the persistent structural problems of the German beer and malt market — a long-term decline in beer consumption, rising production costs and deteriorating export conditions. Soufflet emphasizes that all contractual obligations will be fulfilled, and the supply of German customers will continue at the expense of the group’s European network of malt houses.

Durst Malz had 3 plants in Germany with a total capacity of 200,000 tons of malt per year.

The negative economic background for this decision has been forming for several years. According to the statistical report European Beer Trends 2025 compiled by the European Brewers Association StatBeer, beer production in Germany decreased from 936.5 million dal in 2018 to 839.3 million dal in 2024 (- 10.38%) and consumption — from 822.0 to 734.7 million dal (- 10.62%).

There has been a steady downward trend in beer production for 5 years: 2019: 916,100 dal

2020: 870,270 dals

2021: 854,430 dals

2022: 878 320 dals

2023: 848,850 dals

2024: 839,250 dals

The decrease in beer production is also confirmed by a decrease in income from excise taxes: from 655 million.Euros fell to 558 million in 2018.euro (-14.8%) in 2024.

Consumption per capita decreased from 99 to 88 liters, and the market structure shifted towards retail: the share of on-trade fell from 18% to 14%, while off-trade increased to 86%.

The reduction in beer consumption since 2018 is equivalent to a decrease in malt demand by about 170-180 thousand tons, which is comparable to the annual load of one or two medium–sized malt houses. Even a moderate increase in exports does not compensate for this gap: in 2024, beer imports amounted to 55.8 million dal, while exports amounted to 144.3 million dal.

Against the background of Soufflet’s integration into the InVivo cooperative and the formation of the world’s largest malt group, the capacity optimization strategy is becoming a priority. For the German market, this means switching to a malt supply model from other EU countries and increasing the risks of further industry consolidation in the context of the ongoing contraction of the beer market.