Barley market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine barley market reached 2.5 million tonnes in 2018, driven by a notable expansion of sown area to 1 million hectares and the relocation of crops to more productive agricultural zones, particularly in southeastern Buenos Aires province. Favorable international demand, amplified by heatwaves in Europe that reduced global supply, opened new export opportunities in Asia, including India and Vietnam. However, market volume halved to 1.3 million tonnes in 2019, a year that saw the incorporation of barley into the Integrated Seed System of Argentina (SISA) to strengthen seed control and supervision.

Market volume gradually recovered to 1.4 million tonnes in 2020 and further to 1.8 million tonnes in 2021. In 2022, despite production surging to 5.3 million tonnes, domestic market volume fell to 1.6 million tonnes as exports jumped to 3.7 million tonnes, reflecting strong international shipments.

By 2023, the market volume rebounded to 1.9 million tonnes. Production declined to 4.7 million tonnes, partly due to delayed sowing compared to historical averages, while exports dropped to 2.8 million tonnes. The trade conflict between Australia and China introduced uncertainty into global barley trade, potentially affecting Argentine export flows, and commercial activity was supported by the resumption of export trade with China.

Production barley in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Argentina ranked as the 10th largest producer of barley from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Argentina's barley production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 613 thousand tonnes of barley, which is 4.5% less than in the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 3.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 061 thousand tonnes, marking a 35.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Argentina's barley production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, barley output was valued at 740 million US dollars, representing a 16.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, production value increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 050 million US dollars, which was a 57.7% increase from the year before.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports barley from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

Argentina's barley exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2 233 thousand tonnes of barley, showing a significant drop of 11.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 12.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 588 thousand tonnes, which was a modest increase of 0.9% from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Argentine barley were Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Colombia. Saudi Arabia accounted for 31.3% of exports in volume, Brazil for 22.4%, and Colombia for 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up 65.7% of Argentina's total barley exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Argentina's barley exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 457.3 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decrease of 22.2% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 587.6 million US dollars, following a 17.7% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Colombia were the primary destinations for Argentina's barley exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 27.4% of export value, Brazil for 26.4%, and Colombia for 13.8%. Combined, these three markets absorbed 67.6% of Argentina's total barley export value.

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

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

Imports barley to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Argentina's barley imports showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 94.2% decline from the previous year. In 2019, imports surged by 517,446.7%, and by 2020, they reached 16 thousand tonnes, a 37.2% increase year-on-year. This resulted in a 7,100-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's barley imports were highly concentrated, with Canada alone accounting for 99.7% of the total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Argentina's barley import values were unstable from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, a 65.5% drop from the previous year. In 2019, import value jumped by 26,686.3%, and by 2020, it reached 5.2 million US dollars, a 25.1% increase from 2019. This created a 335-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's barley imports in value terms were heavily dependent on Canada, which accounted for 98.9% of the total import value.

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

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