Barley market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Japan maintained a volume between 1,370 and 1,470 thousand tons from 2018 to 2023, with domestic production rising steadily. In 2018, the introduction of a private distribution system for barley in the Hokuriku region led to changes in varieties and a significant expansion of naked barley acreage in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures. This supported an increase in production from 175 thousand tons in 2018 to 232 thousand tons in 2023, despite the discontinuation of the Shirotae two-row barley variety.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected flour milling operations, but barley market volume remained stable. By 2021, barley imports from the United States grew, and educational seminars highlighting the health benefits of high-beta-glucan barley helped raise consumer awareness. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted global grain markets, impacting prices and logistics, while growing demand for gluten-free and whole-grain products bolstered consumption of barley flour.

By 2023, the market volume reached 1,466 thousand tons, nearly unchanged from 2022, reflecting resilient demand amid external shocks. The milling industry actively pursued overseas market expansion, contributing to export-oriented dynamics, although Japan's barley exports remained minimal.

Production barley in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of barley, 2018-2021

World map of production of barley, 2018-2021

Japan produced 234.8 thousand tons of barley in 2021, marking a 5.9% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 34.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.4%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 27.5%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's barley output was valued at 1 311 million US dollars, representing a significant 14.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 41.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 347 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 45.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 15.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports barley from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's barley exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 0.0 thousand tons, down 8.0% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 41.3%, averaging an annual decline of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Hong Kong, Thailand, and Asia not elsewhere specified—collectively accounted for 86.8% of Japan's total barley exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Japan's barley exports in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 0.1 million US dollars, showing only a marginal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 38.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong (40.1% of export value), Thailand (32.2%), and Asia not elsewhere specified (14.5%) remained the primary buyers of Japanese barley, together constituting 86.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports barley to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Japan imported 1 148 thousand tons of barley in 2021, a 5.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 9.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 148 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 9.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia and Canada dominated Japan's barley imports by volume, jointly accounting for 91.3% of total imports, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Japan's barley imports in value terms increased. In 2021, imports were approximately 324.4 million US dollars, up 7.0% from the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, imports overall decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 303.1 million US dollars, while the largest annual decline was in 2019 at 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Australia and Canada were the dominant sources for Japan's barley imports in value terms, together accounting for 89.8% of total imports, with other destinations contributing smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021