Barley market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market volume in Belarus grew from 1.0 million tons in 2018 to 1.5 million tons in 2020, supported by rising domestic production. Regional factors, including a strengthening barley market in Russia and expanded sowing areas, contributed to favorable conditions for Belarusian producers.

In 2021, state regulation of the consumer market and import restrictions led to a contraction, reducing the market volume to 1.2 million tons. The following year saw a recovery to 1.6 million tons, coinciding with stagnant global barley production.

The market declined again in 2023 to 1.2 million tons. This period saw the introduction of a zero quota for barley seed imports from non-friendly countries and regional logistical challenges, which may have influenced supply dynamics.

Production barley in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus ranked 27th globally in barley production.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Belarus saw its barley production increase for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 375 thousand tons of barley, marking a 25.2% year-over-year rise. However, over the entire 2017–2020 period, production actually decreased by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 944 thousand tons, with the largest year-over-year drop of 33.5% also occurring that year.

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

Exports barley from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a dramatic 30-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Belarus exported 3.8 thousand tons of barley, representing a substantial 328.7% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was 0.1 thousand tons in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 59.2%. Conversely, the largest increase of 589.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Denmark, and Lithuania consistently held the top positions in Belarus's barley export structure by volume. Russia accounted for 39.9% of exports, Denmark for 23.8%, and Lithuania for 20.8%. Together, these three countries represented 84.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2020, showing a 13.5-fold fluctuation between these extremes. In 2020, Belarus's barley exports amounted to 677 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 215.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 50 thousand US dollars in 2018, which experienced the largest decline of 57.3%. The largest increase of 326.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Russia, Denmark, and Lithuania accounted for the largest shares of Belarus's barley exports by value. Russia led with 55.2% of exports, followed by Denmark at 16.4% and Lithuania at 14.4%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 86.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barley to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018, while the maximum occurred in 2019, with a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Belarus imported 151.4 thousand tons of barley, corresponding to a steep decline of 32.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was 103.3 thousand tons in 2018, and the maximum was 225.7 thousand tons in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 118.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Belarus's barley imports by volume was dominated by Russia, which absorbed 78.1% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. The period saw a peak in 2019 and a trough in 2017, with a 2.2-fold amplitude between these points. In 2020, Belarus's barley imports amounted to 27 839 thousand US dollars, showing a reduction of 42.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 48 119 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 113.5%.

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

In 2017–2020, Russia remained the primary market for Belarus's barley imports by value, holding a share of 77.0% of total flows. The rest of the import volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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