Barley market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the barley market volume in Eastern Europe experienced significant fluctuations. In 2018, the devaluation of the Russian ruble boosted export competitiveness, leading to high shipments abroad, which limited domestic availability despite expanded sown areas supporting production. The following year, a further increase in planted area and a rise in production, coupled with a dip in exports, pushed the market volume to over 30 million tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected logistics and demand, but sustained export growth and stable prices contributed to a contraction in the internal market volume.

The market surged to 33.6 million tons in 2022, primarily due to export restrictions stemming from geopolitical sanctions and logistical hurdles, which retained more barley domestically. A high harvest that year also supported supply, alongside growing domestic demand for barley in brewing and food processing. In 2023, the market volume fell back to 26.5 million tons as exports recovered despite ongoing constraints for small and medium farms, while average yields for both spring and winter barley declined, reducing production.

Production barley in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), barley production reached 38 692 K t in 2020, representing a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 34 010 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 16.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production rising by 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, barley production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 095 M $ US, marking a moderate decrease of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 476 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports barley from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, barley export volumes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 12 982 K t of barley, representing a sharp increase of 27.5% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 184 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (34.8% of exports in kind), China (9.4% of exports in kind), and Iran (7.8% of exports in kind) were the leading destinations for barley exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Together, these three markets accounted for 52.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, barley exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 2 380 M $ US, representing a 25.5% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 897 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for barley exports in value terms were Saudi Arabia, China, and Iran. Together, they accounted for 52.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports barley to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Barley imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 974 K t, showing a sharp gain of 29.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 689 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for barley imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. France (5.3% of imports in kind), Denmark (5.2% of imports in kind), and Germany (3.6% of imports in kind) jointly represented 14.1% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 85.9%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Barley imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 244 M $ US, showing an abrupt gain of 27.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 176 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, barley was supplied to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) from a broad set of markets. France (6.4% of imports in value terms), Denmark (6.1% of imports in value terms), and Germany (5.2% of imports in value terms) together accounted for only 17.7% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller destinations formed the remaining 82.3%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020