Barley market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market volume in Latin America and the Caribbean began at 5 593 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by rising demand for feed barley in South America driven by abundant supply and expanding regional livestock production. Significant imports by Mexico, exceeding 400 thousand tons, underscored its importance in the regional trade. Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 5 050 thousand tons by 2020.

A rebound occurred in 2021, lifting volume to 5 627 thousand tons, followed by a slight contraction in 2022. The market reached 5 693 thousand tons in 2023. During this later phase, consumer preferences shifted toward processed barley products such as flakes and flour, which came to represent 25% of human consumption. Simultaneously, strict quality standards for malt barley, necessitating technological investments in processing, influenced production and market structure.

Production barley in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Barley production in Latin America and the Caribbean has fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 935 thousand tonnes of barley, marking a 5.5% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest production level was in 2018, with 7 235 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest increase, at 18.7%. In contrast, the biggest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Barley production in Latin America and the Caribbean has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of barley output in the region was 1 215 million US dollars, representing a significant 18.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value actually rose by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 548 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 40.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports barley from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, barley exports from Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 2 278 thousand tonnes, down 11.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The only notable increase during this period was in 2019, when exports grew by 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, barley exports from Latin America and the Caribbean were distributed across multiple markets without a single dominant destination. The top three partners—Saudi Arabia (30.8% of exports by volume), Kuwait (7.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (6.2%)—together accounted for 44.6% of total exports. The remaining share was spread among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual contributions.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, barley export volumes from Latin America and the Caribbean declined in 2020. That year, exports were valued at 466.4 million US dollars, a sharp 22.9% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 3.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 605.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, barley exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. The top three—Saudi Arabia (26.9% of export value), Kuwait (6.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (5.6%)—collectively represented just 39.1% of total exports, indicating a broad distribution among many other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports barley to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Barley imports into Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1 393 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 49.5%, with an average annual increase of 14.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 879 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%. In contrast, the biggest jump occurred in 2019, with a 58.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for barley imports into Latin America and the Caribbean by volume were France (1.7% of imports), Canada (0.6%), and Denmark (0.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for just 2.9% of total imports, highlighting a highly fragmented supply structure with many smaller contributors.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, barley import volumes into Latin America and the Caribbean fell in 2020. That year, imports were valued at 325.9 million US dollars, a strong 15.2% decrease from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 17.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 384.3 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France (1.9% of import value), Canada (0.7%), and Denmark (0.6%) remained the leading suppliers of barley to Latin America and the Caribbean. Combined, these three countries represented only 3.2% of total import value, underscoring a diverse and dispersed sourcing pattern.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020