The deal between Joe White Maltings, a leading Australian malting supplier, and India’s The Catalysts Group, will provide access to Australian barley for Indian craft brewers for the first time.
Australia’s premium malting barley has now become available the Indian market for the first time, in a move that strengthens agricultural trade ties between the two nations, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission said.
The launch was marked at the Tipsy Bull Brewhouse in Bengaluru, Karnataka, through the #CollabBrew initiative, a collaboration between Joe White Maltings, a leading Australian malting supplier, and The Catalysts Group, an Indian specialist in biotech solutions for the brewing and distilling industries.
The program is intended to combine Australian malts with the creativity of India’s fast-growing craft brewing sector. Australia produces around 12 million metric tonnes of barley annually, with 30% to 40% dedicated to malting.
The country supplies approximately one-third of the world’s malting barley exports, recognised for high germination rates, uniform malting characteristics, and strong extract yields, attributes considered critical for beer production and distilling.
Barley production is concentrated in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. Between 55% and 70% of the country’s annual barley output is exported, with China, Japan, and the Middle East among the traditional major markets.
Officials said the entry into India comes at a time when the country’s beer consumption is steadily rising, driven by the expansion of the craft brewing industry and growing demand for premium quality ingredients.
The collaboration between Joe White Maltings and The Catalysts Group was made possible under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AIECTA), which has helped streamline trade procedures and opened new channels for Australian agricultural products.
Austrade said the #CollabBrew initiative was part of broader efforts to deepen economic ties with India by facilitating new market access for Australian exporters. It described India’s emerging beer market as a significant opportunity for diversification beyond traditional markets.
