South Africa: Soufflet Malt invests 100 million euros in a new malt factory in Sedibeng
An ambitious project to strengthen Soufflet’s presence in Africa
French agro-industrial group Soufflet Malt, world leader in the production of malt for the brewing industry, continues to expand beyond Europe. As part of its development strategy in Africa, Soufflet has announced the construction of a new malting plant in the Sedibeng district of South Africa, at a total cost of 100 million euros (around $108.4 million). The project was officially revealed in a press release issued on March 7, 2025.
A project in partnership with Heineken
This project is part of a commercial agreement signed between Soufflet Malt and Dutch brewer Heineken, with the main aim of supplying the malt needed to support Heineken’s activities in South Africa. Once operational, this malting plant should have an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of malt, with commissioning scheduled for the first half of 2027.
Strengthening local barley supplies
One of the key aspects of this project is the supply of locally grown barley to the malting plant. Soufflet Malt is committed to working with a network of 200 local growers to ensure a continuous, high-quality supply. The company has already established long-term partnerships with farmers in the region and offers training and mentoring to improve agronomic practices, with a view to increasing the production of high-quality barley.
Growth potential for barley production in South Africa
This project represents a significant boost for barley cultivation in South Africa. Although barley production has been declining since 2020, with only 374,000 tonnes produced in 2024, this project could stimulate an increase in local production. Indeed, barley cultivation in the country, mainly used for malt production and animal feed, has declined considerably, from 588,000 tonnes in 2020 to levels below 400,000 tonnes in recent years. Soufflet Malt’s malting plant should help to revitalize this crop, by encouraging farmers to increase their investment in barley cultivation.
Conclusion: A new stage in Soufflet Malt’s expansion in Africa
Soufflet Mal t’s malting project in South Africa marks an important step in the company’s expansion outside Europe. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Heineken and the involvement of local producers, this project should not only strengthen the supply of malt for the brewing industry in South Africa, but also stimulate local barley production, a sector in the midst of a revival. This development also heralds new prospects for South African agriculture, and could play a key role in the region’s economic development.
