Barley market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian barley market was shaped by climatic challenges and demand dynamics. Unfavorable weather in southern Italy reduced production in 2018, while high global demand kept prices firm. In 2019, increased domestic demand for barley coincided with a sharp drop in exports, and the following year drought conditions lowered yields, though production continued to grow supported by rising prices. Market volume declined from 1,615 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1,562 thousand tonnes in 2020, largely due to reduced imports.

The market rebounded from 2021 onward, reaching 1,713 thousand tonnes that year as record yields in northern Italy and a 25% price increase stimulated activity. The Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 disrupted global grain flows, leading to higher imports from Eastern Europe and pushing market volume to 1,865 thousand tonnes. In 2023, adverse weather lowered malt barley yields, but overall production rose, and market volume stabilized at 1,867 thousand tonnes, with the roasted barley segment seeing value growth despite volume declines.

Production barley in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was among the world's leading barley producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 28th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Barley production in Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 1 124 thousand tons of barley, representing a 1.7% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

Exports barley from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 3.4 thousand tons, then peaked in 2020 at 40.4 thousand tons, representing a 12-fold increase between these years. The 2020 figure marked a substantial 777.7% year-over-year gain, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 90.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya (32.5% of exports in kind), Cyprus (15.0%), and Lebanon (10.5%) were the main markets for Italy's barley exports, together accounting for 58.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 1.8 million US dollars, then reached their maximum in 2020 at 9.4 million US dollars, representing a 5.3-fold increase between these years. The 2020 value showed a sharp 375.7% increase compared to the previous year, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 78.9% drop.

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

During 2017-2020, Libya (23.8% of exports in value terms), France (16.1%), and Cyprus (12.8%) formed the main group of destinations for Italy's barley exports by value, with a combined share of 52.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports barley to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Barley imports to Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported 478.7 thousand tons of barley, representing a 3.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary (39.4% of imports in kind), France (25.8%), and Austria (10.1%) together accounted for 75.3% of total barley imports to Italy, making them the main sources of imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's barley imports by value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 92.2 million US dollars, down by 10.9% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 12.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary (36.1% of imports in value terms), France (27.1%), and Austria (10.7%) remained the key sources for Italy's barley imports by value, together accounting for 73.9% of total import value.

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

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