Barley market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Kazakhstan remained stable at around 2.3 million tonnes in 2018 and 2019, supported by the active role of large agriholdings such as Atameken Agro and steady export demand from Iran and China. Market volume then rose to 2.8 million tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics, reduced exports, and increased domestic feed demand, while state subsidies helped sustain production.

A sharp drop in production pulled the market down to 1.7 million tonnes in 2021. It recovered to 2.6 million tonnes in 2022 despite geopolitical risks and sanctions that affected trade, alongside growing competition from Russian grain in the domestic market. New national GOST standards for barley were also introduced, tightening quality controls.

In 2023, market volume fell again to 1.8 million tonnes after a 20% harvest decline, even though sown area had expanded. This was accompanied by increased barley supplies from Russia, which influenced internal prices, while export demand from Iran and China remained strong.

Production barley in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kazakhstan ranked 12th globally in barley production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Kazakhstan's barley production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 659 K t of barley, a modest 4.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.7%, averaging 3.5% annually. The highest production was in 2018 at 3 971 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 20.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Kazakhstan's barley production value fell. In 2020, barley output was valued at 658.4 M $ US, a modest 5.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 698.6 M $ US, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 32.4%.

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

Exports barley from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports fluctuated significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 962 K t of barley, a steep 40.8% decline from the previous year. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 1 755 K t, which also recorded the largest increase of 94.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran was the dominant buyer of barley from Kazakhstan, accounting for 85.7% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. Export values peaked in 2019 and hit a low in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference. In 2020, Kazakhstan's barley exports totaled 173.1 M $ US, a 41.6% fall from 2019. The maximum value was in 2019 at 296.5 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 114.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran remained the top destination for barley exports in value terms, holding an 86.6% share of total flows, while other markets accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports barley to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance saw noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with an 8.3-fold swing. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 67 K t of barley, a sharp 75.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 18.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 476.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated barley imports to Kazakhstan in volume, capturing 98.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values peaked in 2020 and bottomed out in 2017, changing by 10.7 times. In 2020, Kazakhstan's barley imports amounted to 11.4 M $ US, a sharp 76.5% rise from 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 520.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia was the key partner for barley imports in value terms, accounting for 96.8% of total flows.

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

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