Soufflet Malt to invest €100 million in Rajasthan plant to tap India’s beer boom
France-based Soufflet Malt plans to invest €100 million in a new malt production facility in Rajasthan, aiming to capture strong growth in India’s beer market. The plant, scheduled for completion by early 2028, will initially produce 110,000 metric tons of malt annually, with a potential second phase that could double output if demand continues to rise. The company, part of French grain group InVivo, already operates a smaller malt house in Rajasthan and sources barley locally to supply brewers.
The expansion reflects shifting global consumption trends, as beer demand declines in parts of Germany and the United Kingdom, prompting Soufflet Malt to restructure and close some European plants. CEO Jorge Solis said India stands out as a major growth market, with per-capita beer consumption still low compared with the United States and the Czech Republic. Solis made the remarks during a visit accompanying French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the company’s focus on emerging markets.
The facility will mainly supply United Breweries Limited, controlled by Heineken, strengthening local malt supply for its beer brands. Soufflet Malt also sees growth opportunities in India’s whisky sector, the world’s largest by volume. Beyond India, the company is expanding globally, including potential capacity increases in Brazil and a new malt plant under construction in South Africa, reinforcing its strategy to focus on fast-growing emerging markets.
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