Barley market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, domestic barley production increased significantly, rising by 38% in 2018 due to favourable weather conditions and higher contract prices set by agricultural cooperatives. Government efforts to promote barley as a healthy grain further supported cultivation. However, overall market volume fluctuated, dropping from 9.4 million tonnes in 2018 to 8.5 million tonnes in 2019, primarily due to changes in import levels.

The market expanded sharply from 2020 to 2021, reaching 15.1 million tonnes in 2021. This growth was driven by increased demand for barley-based products during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated online sales of barley processed foods. The success of Haitai Jinro's Black Barley tea, which sold over 300 million bottles by 2021, capitalized on trends for caffeine-free, sugar-free beverages and spurred imports to meet rising consumption.

In 2022, market volume fell to 8.4 million tonnes, but rebounded to 14.0 million tonnes in 2023. The industry focused on developing premium and healthy barley products, while adverse weather conditions began affecting domestic production. Large processors like SRC Cheongbori planned to expand online sales and increase production capacity, reflecting ongoing demand in the barley tea and processed food segments.

Production barley in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In 2018, barley production in Eastern Asia hit its lowest point at 1 269 thousand tonnes. The following year, 2019, saw production peak at 1 394 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 9.9% increase. By 2020, production had slightly declined to 1 386 thousand tonnes, down 0.6% from the previous year. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, with a 7.7% decrease.

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

Exports barley from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Barley exports from Eastern Asia showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 1 thousand tonne, representing an 86.8% decline. The peak occurred in 2018 at 4 thousand tonnes. By 2020, exports had rebounded to 1 thousand tonne, showing a sharp 120.4% increase compared to the previous year. Overall, there was a 7.6-fold difference between the highest and lowest export volumes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam dominated barley exports from Eastern Asia, accounting for 70.7% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of barley exports from Eastern Asia displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. In 2019, export value hit its lowest point at 0.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 59.5% decline. The peak was in 2018 at 1 million US dollars, which saw a 51.3% increase. By 2020, export value had risen to 1 million US dollars, up 40.0% from the previous year. The gap between the highest and lowest values was 2.5-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, the United States, and Australia were the main destinations for barley exports from Eastern Asia in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 23.3% of exports, the United States for 14.6%, and Australia for 14.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 52.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports barley to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Barley imports into Eastern Asia experienced a two-year decline before increasing in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their minimum at 7 146 thousand tonnes, following a 19.7% drop in 2018. By 2020, imports had surged to 9 351 thousand tonnes, a sharp 30.9% rise from the previous year. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 7.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine were the primary suppliers of barley to Eastern Asia by volume. Australia contributed 51.3% of imports, Canada 22.2%, and Ukraine 12.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, the value of barley imports into Eastern Asia rose in 2020. In 2019, import value was at its lowest point at 1 904 million US dollars, with a 7.3% decline that year. By 2020, imports had increased to 2 199 million US dollars, up 15.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine led in supplying barley to Eastern Asia by value. Australia accounted for 50.4% of import value, Canada for 24.0%, and Ukraine for 11.8%. Together, these three countries made up 86.2% of total import value.

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

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