Grain Alcohol Market Report 2026

The grain alcohol market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $15.19 billion in 2025 to $16.14 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of distillation infrastructure, widespread use in alcoholic beverage production, long-standing grain fermentation practices, growth of pharmaceutical solvent demand, established industrial ethanol consumption.

The grain alcohol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $20.98 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for premium spirits, expansion of ethanol use in healthcare applications, increasing regulatory oversight on alcohol purity, growth of bio-based industrial solvents, innovation in sustainable distillation processes. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of neutral spirit production capacity, rising demand for beverage-grade ethanol, growing use in pharmaceutical and industrial applications, increasing focus on purity standards, diversification of feedstock sources.

The rising global beer production is expected to drive the growth of the grain alcohol market in the coming years. Beer production involves the brewing of beer, an alcoholic beverage produced through the fermentation of malted grains, typically barley, along with hops, yeast, and water. Grain alcohol is used in beer production as a key ingredient because of its highly purified and neutral characteristics. It is mainly applied for non-fermentation purposes and contributes to the beer’s flavor, aroma, body, preservation, and carbonation. For instance, in July 2024, according to BarthHaas, a Germany-based hops specialist firm, global beer production reached 1.88 billion hectoliters in 2023. Therefore, the increase in global beer production is supporting the expansion of the grain alcohol market.

Major companies in the grain alcohol market are concentrating on developing innovative products such as whiskies to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-quality alcoholic beverages. Whiskies are distilled spirits made from fermented grain mash, which can include barley, corn, rye, or wheat, and are aged in oak barrels. The aging process adds unique flavors, varying from sweet and smooth to smoky and rich. For example, in August 2023, Pernod Ricard India, a beverage company based in India, launched Royal Stag Double Dark Peaty Whisky and Blenders Pride Four Elements Premium Whisky. Royal Stag Double Dark Peaty Whisky offers a smoky blend, featuring double-distilled Scotch malts aged in charred American and European oak barrels, combined with select peated malts and grain-neutral spirits. Blenders Pride Four Elements showcases a creative blend of four Scotch malts and Indian grain spirits, providing a vibrant and complex flavor profile.

In September 2023, Greenfield Global Inc., a grain alcohol producer based in the US, formed a partnership with REMET Alcohols Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This collaboration provides unparalleled supply security, distribution capabilities in rapidly growing markets, and improved efficiency for both REMET Alcohols and Greenfield customers. REMET Alcohols is a US-based distributor of pure ethyl alcohol and a blending company.

Major companies operating in the grain alcohol market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, MGP Ingredients Inc., Cristalco SAS, Wilmar International Limited, Manildra Group, Glacial Grain Spirits LLC, Pacific Distillery LLC, Pinal Energy LLC, Green Plains Inc., POET LLC, Valero Energy Corporation, Raízen, CropEnergies AG, Tereos Group, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd., Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd., Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd., Teichenné SA, Metelka AS, Tanganyika Distillers.

Europe was the largest region in the grain alcohol market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the grain alcohol market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the grain alcohol market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The grain alcohol market consists of sales of polyols grain alcohol and ethanol grain alcohol. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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