Barley market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Eastern Africa grew from 2.2 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.8 million tonnes in 2020. This expansion was driven by the widespread adoption of contract farming with brewers like East African Breweries Limited, which provided farmers with training, inputs, and a guaranteed market. Many farmers shifted from maize and wheat to barley due to better returns, increasing production areas. Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced brewer demand in early 2020, the easing of restrictions later that year supported a recovery in barley orders.

Market volume declined to 2.7 million tonnes in 2021 and further to 2.4 million tonnes in 2022. Farmers faced challenges such as limited market access and price fluctuations, which constrained growth. However, contract farming continued to offer stability, and the introduction of new disease-resistant barley varieties helped sustain farmer participation. By 2023, the market recovered to 2.6 million tonnes, aided by capacity-building initiatives and the promotion of barley as a livelihood-improving crop.

In 2024, East African Breweries Limited reduced barley orders due to surplus stocks, but the reopening of bars and restaurants later boosted demand. New barley seed varieties were launched to improve yields, and collaborations between county governments and brewers aimed to address production costs and input access for farmers.

Production barley in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Barley production in Eastern Africa has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,809 thousand tons of barley, marking an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,194 thousand tons, when output fell by 10.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 18.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of barley production in Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, barley output was valued at 757.9 million US dollars, down 1.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 39.6%, averaging an 11.8% annual rise. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 766.1 million US dollars, when production surged by 40.3%.

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

Exports barley from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Barley exports from Eastern Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 6,618 tons, up 4.4% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 50.8%, with an average annual decline of 21.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 4,903 tons, when shipments plummeted by 63.6%. Exports rebounded in 2019, growing by 29.3%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of barley exports from Eastern Africa reached 1,786 thousand US dollars, declining by 4.8% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 40%, with an average annual decrease of 15.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,220 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 59.0% drop. In 2019, export value recovered, increasing by 53.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the leading buyer of barley from Eastern Africa, accounting for 0.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports barley to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, barley imports into Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, the region imported 14,944 tons of barley, up 5.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 64%, with an average annual decline of 28.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 14,184 tons, when imports fell by 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Finland, and Denmark were the top suppliers of barley to Eastern Africa in volume terms, contributing 21.8%, 10.8%, and 4.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 36.9% of total import volume, indicating a diversified supplier base.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Barley imports into Eastern Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 6,231 thousand US dollars, dropping sharply by 28.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 52.4%, with an average annual decline of 21.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Finland, and South Africa remained the key suppliers of barley to Eastern Africa in value terms, with shares of 34.2%, 15.6%, and 13.6%, respectively. Combined, they represented 63.4% of total import value.

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

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