Barley market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, barley production in Egypt rose from 82.4 thousand tons to 109.0 thousand tons. This increase was supported by the adoption of modern agricultural techniques such as dry direct seeding and laser leveling, which improved soil quality and reduced production costs. Government initiatives for daily market monitoring and managing supply-demand balance helped stabilize prices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and lowered industrial demand, causing price volatility, but overall market volume remained stable at 116.5 thousand tons due to state price controls and measures to support consumer purchasing power.

Market volume contracted to 101.5 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 91.9 thousand tons in 2022, despite continued government support for producers through farmer initiatives and agricultural credit financing. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices increased production costs, leading to short-term price fluctuations. Domestic barley production, however, showed resilience, recovering to 91.9 thousand tons in 2022 after a decline the previous year.

A sharp expansion followed in 2023, with market volume surging to 154.6 thousand tons and production reaching 117.6 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the launch of the first barley beverage plant, producing 'Moussy', which created new industrial demand for barley as a raw material. The expansion was further supported by the application of smart farming technologies in Upper Egypt and the Northwest region to raise yields, alongside government plans to list state-owned companies to encourage private investment in agriculture.

Production barley in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Egypt's barley production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 109.0 thousand tons of barley, marking a modest year-over-year rise of 1.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 82.4 thousand tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 15.6%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 29.8%.

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

Exports barley from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed out in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with an 8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt's cross-border barley shipments totaled 40 tons, representing a sharp increase of 704.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 86.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Libya dominated Egypt's barley exports in volume, together accounting for 93.9% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 19-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Egypt's barley export value amounted to 8 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden advance of 671.1% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 94.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, two markets—Libya and Switzerland—played leading roles in Egypt's barley exports by value, together capturing 96.3% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports barley to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's barley import volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 7,521 tons, reflecting a robust drop of 18.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 72.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 35.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Russia clearly dominated Egypt's barley import structure by volume, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's barley import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1,570 thousand US dollars, which is 22.0% weaker compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 70.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 33.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine (with 51.8% of total flows) and Russia (38.9%) together formed 90.7% of Egypt's barley imports by value. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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