Market research

Barley market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African barley market volume fell to 9.0 million tons in 2019, primarily due to an 18% decline in continental production that year. A recovery to 9.7 million tons followed in 2020, supported by a sharp rise in imports which compensated for ongoing production challenges in key regions like South Africa, where farmers faced unpredictable weather and rising input costs.

After reaching a peak of over 10 million tons in 2021, the market contracted sharply to 7.8 million tons in 2022 amid significant reductions in both domestic output and imports. This period saw the emergence of stabilizing measures, including contract farming with major brewers in Kenya and the entry of a second buyer for malt barley in South Africa, which aimed to secure farmer income and diversify market access.

Market volume rebounded to 9.1 million tons in 2023, driven by improved production linked to technological investments. Key developments included the introduction of new drought-resistant barley varieties and advanced whole genome sequencing research in South Africa, enhancing crop resilience and supporting yield recovery.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production barley in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Barley production in Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Africa produced 5 903 K t of barley, marking a 13.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7 895 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.5%	(13.4%)	(13.6%)	(4.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports barley from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Barley exports from Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 K t, reflecting a 24.5% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 54.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(54.9%)	10.6%	24.5%	(14.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. Exports fluctuated significantly, with a 2.2-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, barley shipments from Africa to abroad amounted to 2.8 M $ US, down by 31.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1.8 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 4.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 40.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 120.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(40.9%)	120.4%	(31.0%)	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports barley to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign barley supplies to Africa reached 3 783 K t, which is 76.7% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 021 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.7%)	5.9%	76.7%	15.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ukraine, and Russia were the core suppliers of barley imports to Africa in terms of volume. France accounted for 29.8% of imports, Ukraine for 24.6%, and Russia for 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 67.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. There was a 1.7-fold variation between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, barley import volumes to Africa registered 769.3 M $ US, showing a sharp rise of 73.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 443.1 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.6%	(1.8%)	73.6%	19.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Ukraine, and Russia played leading roles in barley imports to Africa in value terms. France contributed 30.8% of imports, Ukraine 21.9%, and Russia 12.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io