Barley market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Finnish barley market experienced considerable volatility, with market volume peaking at 1.6 million tons in 2019 before falling to around 1.0 million tons in 2021. The subsequent recovery to 1.5 million tons in 2022 coincided with a reported cultivation area of approximately 429 000 hectares, indicating an expansion in supply. However, production dropped again in 2023, a year that saw the introduction of a new integrated pest and disease control model for barley, allowing for single-spray tactics that can reduce farmers' working time and costs.

Structural changes in Finnish agriculture continued throughout the period, with the number of farms decreasing while their average size grew. In 2024, the EU's simplification regulation removed the non-productive area requirement for conditionalities, permitting cultivation exceptions on fallow land, while a crop rotation mandate was extended to all farms. These regulatory adjustments may influence future planting decisions and barley output.

Consumer interest in barley products increased due to the grain's fiber content and health benefits, potentially supporting demand. Meanwhile, reforms to higher education funding models, approved in 2024, are expected to bolster agricultural research and innovation, including the development of new barley varieties and cultivation techniques.

Production barley in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Finland ranked as the 22nd largest producer of barley during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In 2020, Finland produced 1 398 thousand tons of barley, which represents a 17.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 353 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 1 702 thousand tons. The most significant year-over-year increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 25.8%.

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

Exports barley from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of barley from Finland showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 59.0 thousand tons, while exports peaked in 2020 at 166.1 thousand tons, representing a 2.8-fold increase from the minimum. In 2020, exports surged by 146.3% compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 60.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland's barley exports were distributed across a diverse range of trading partners. The top three destinations were Morocco (13.1% of export volume), Saudi Arabia (13.0%), and Germany (11.0%). Together, these countries accounted for 37.1% of total export flows, indicating a broad and varied partner portfolio.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of barley exports from Finland exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 191 thousand US dollars, while exports reached their peak in 2020 at 33 175 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.3-fold increase. In 2020, export value rose sharply by 25.5% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when export value dropped by 49.8%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 with an 86.4% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the largest buyers of Finnish barley by value were Sweden (14.0% of export value), Germany (13.3%), and Saudi Arabia (11.3%). However, even combined, these three countries represented only 38.6% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base for Finland's barley exports.

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

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

Imports barley to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

Barley imports into Finland were characterized by high volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.1 thousand tons and peaked in 2019 at 0.5 thousand tons, representing a 6.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, imports declined sharply by 85.4% compared to the previous year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 473.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the majority of Finland's barley imports by volume came from three key partners: Norway (29.4% of import volume), Denmark (26.6%), and Germany (16.5%). Together, these countries accounted for 72.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of barley imports into Finland showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 37 thousand US dollars and reached their peak in 2018 at 273 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.3-fold difference. In 2020, import value declined sharply by 84.2% compared to the previous year. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2018, when import value rose by 75.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the leading sources of barley imports by value were Sweden (35.1% of import value), Denmark (19.8%), and Norway (16.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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