I think malt vinegar is more prevalant in Canada than in the US tbh. But not as much as in the UK.

Malt vinegar is mostly a UK, U.S., and Canadian food as far as I know. Mostly used on french fries. 😋

EDIT: I sometimes have a hard time finding it here in the States, but I would look for places with English imports. I have also learned to enjoy other vinegars to substitute, like apple-cider vinegar and sherry vinegar.

It's pretty much ethnic anglo stuff.

If it's for fish-and-chips lemon juice is a good sub. Otherwise white wine vinegar; note however that depending on the amounts the taste difference will be noticeable.

I almost never see malt vinegar in the US unless it’s at a UK themed restaurant.

Like, it’s not really much of a thing in US food. Maybe as like a source product for distilled vinegar? But I think that’s mostly made from corn not malted barley. Honestly I see imitation “balsamic” or red wine vinegar way more often than malt