Barley market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The Indian barley market saw its volume increase to 1.9 million tonnes in 2019, supported by expanded cultivation in states like Rajasthan and Haryana due to the crop's low cost, water efficiency, and climate resilience. The release of the new 'Ratna' variety for rainfed and marginal soils in eastern states further supported area expansion. However, the market contracted to 1.8 million tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and demand, despite a rise in domestic production.

Market volume declined over the next two years, falling to 1.5 million tonnes in 2022. During this period, India's barley exports began to rise, driven by growing global demand, while domestic research activity intensified for value-added segments like barley tea, indicating a shift in market focus. The sharp production drop in 2022 contributed significantly to the lower market size.

In 2023, the barley market rebounded strongly, with volume surging by 36% to reach 2.1 million tonnes, the highest level in the observed period. This recovery aligned with the crop's established advantages for farmers and the emerging interest in new product applications.

Production barley in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, India ranked as the 18th largest producer of barley during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In 2020, India produced 1 722 thousand tonnes of barley, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 1 633 thousand tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 with 1 781 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 8.3%.

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

Exports barley from India

Exports in kind, K t

The export data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2018, exports experienced a peak-to-trough amplitude of 6.5 times. In 2020, India exported 2.1 thousand tonnes of barley, representing a strong 12.3% increase over the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 64.7%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, surging by 552.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were the principal buyers of Indian barley in volume terms, accounting for 26.5%, 19.7%, and 14.3% of exports respectively. Together, these three markets represented 60.5% of total barley exports from India.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and their lowest point in 2017, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of barley exports from India amounted to 860 thousand US dollars, a sudden 25.8% increase compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 550 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 55.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 307.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar formed the core group of markets for Indian barley exports in value terms, accounting for 27.7%, 15.0%, and 12.3% of exports respectively. Together, these three countries represented 54.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports barley to India

Imports in kind, K t

Import data reveals noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Barley imports reached their maximum in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing a 3.6-fold variation. In 2020, India imported 70.8 thousand tonnes of barley, indicating an intense 72.4% drop compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 256.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that same year, rising by 188.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina and France led the list of suppliers for barley imports to India in volume terms, together accounting for 85.8% of total imports, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of barley imports to India totaled 18 273 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 71.3% fall compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 63 759 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year, rising by 209.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Argentina and France consistently accounted for 86.3% of total barley imports to India in value terms, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller suppliers.

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

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