Barley market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Central America grew to 1 010 thousand tons in 2018, driven by rising consumer demand for healthy foods like barley, considered a superfood, and expansion in the brewing industry. However, production and market volume fell to 965 thousand tons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly reduced demand for barley in brewing and malting, causing the market to drop to 864 thousand tons, although increased home baking with barley partially offset the decline.

Post-pandemic, the market recovered to 1 033 thousand tons in 2021 but slightly decreased to 1 024 thousand tons in 2022. In 2023, market volume fell to 898 thousand tons, with production down to 832 thousand tons and imports rising to 66 thousand tons. This decline coincided with global factors: low demand for brewing barley due to a weak malt market, increased competition from U.S. corn affecting feed barley prices, and active export flows from major producers like Argentina and Australia to China and the Middle East.

Production barley in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Barley production in Central America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 964 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had dropped to 864 thousand tons—a significant decrease of 10.4%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%. The peak was reached in 2018, when production hit 1 009 thousand tons. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

Exports barley from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 13.5 tons, then surged to a peak of 54.8 tons in 2020—a fourfold difference. The 2020 figure marked a sharp increase of 70.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 11.5%, while the biggest jump occurred in 2019 with a 137.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and France were the main buyers of barley from Central America, together accounting for 13.4% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Barley exports from Central America have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 15.1 thousand US dollars, up 25.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports grew by 78.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 7.1 thousand US dollars, when exports fell by 15.9%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 69.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and France remained the top destinations for barley exports in value terms, together making up 36.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barley to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Barley imports into Central America have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 176.4 tons, a steep drop of 60.4% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 79%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 40.5%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 907.0 tons, which saw an 8.1% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, Spain and France dominated the import partner structure by volume, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Barley imports into Central America have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value was 76.8 thousand US dollars, down 57.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 77.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 39.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 340.5 thousand US dollars, which included a slight increase of 0.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and France together accounted for 82.0% of total import value, with Spain at 43.8% and France at 38.2%. Other partners made up the rest.

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

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