Barley market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, German barley production and market volume saw significant shifts. In 2018, drought and late frosts reduced harvest yields, limiting production to 9.6 million tonnes. The following year, robust export demand from the Middle East and North Africa supported a production rebound to 11.6 million tonnes, driving the market volume to 11.3 million tonnes.

Beginning in 2020, unfavorable weather conditions again curbed yields, while a reduction in domestic livestock numbers softened feed barley demand. Geopolitical uncertainties, including Brexit and the onset of the Ukraine war, disrupted trade flows and contributed to volatile prices. By 2022, improved winter barley harvests, combined with export restrictions from Ukraine that tightened European supply, helped lift production back above 11 million tonnes and market volume to 9.7 million tonnes.

In 2023, the market volume settled at 9.0 million tonnes as production experienced a minor contraction, signaling a period of stabilization after the earlier fluctuations.

Production barley in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Germany ranked as the fourth-largest producer of barley from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 10 769 thousand tonnes of barley, marking a controlled decline of 7.1% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 584 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 11 592 thousand tonnes. The most significant decrease was observed in 2018, falling by 11.7%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019, rising by 21.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Germany's barley production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 155 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate drop of 5.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 281 million US dollars, with the most substantial increase that year of 17.4%.

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

Exports barley from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Germany's cross-border shipments of barley rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 2 415 thousand tonnes, up by 52.6% year-over-year. The lowest level was in 2019 at 1 582 thousand tonnes, with the largest decrease occurring in 2018, falling by 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of German barley were Saudi Arabia (accounting for 36.4% of exports in volume), the Netherlands (35.6%), and Iran (9.7%). Together, these three countries comprised 81.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of barley exports from Germany increased. In 2020, exports totaled 483.3 million US dollars, showing an uptick of 55.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 11.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 311.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 17.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands (35.3% of exports in value), Saudi Arabia (34.8%), and Iran (9.4%) remained the key destinations for German barley exports in monetary terms, together accounting for 79.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports barley to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's barley imports saw an increase. In 2020, imports totaled 1 492 thousand tonnes, representing a robust gain of 17.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 12.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 272 thousand tonnes, with the largest decrease occurring in 2018, down by 4.2%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, France (32.7% of imports in volume), Denmark (21.1%), and Czechia (15.8%) were the primary suppliers of barley to Germany, jointly accounting for 69.5% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany imported approximately 300.7 million US dollars worth of barley, reflecting a moderate increase of 4.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 1.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (34.3% of imports in value), Denmark (22.1%), and Czechia (13.3%) led the ranking of barley suppliers to Germany, with their combined share reaching 69.7% of total imports in monetary terms.

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

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