Market research

Barley market in Lesotho

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The barley market volume in Lesotho fluctuated between 300.0 t and 340.0 t from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 339.1 t in 2020, the market contracted significantly to 300.0 t in 2021, a drop of over 11%. It partially recovered to 314.9 t in 2022 before easing to 305.3 t in 2023. The changes in 2019 and 2020 were minor, indicating relative stability in those years.

By 2024, climate change and government policy became prominent influences on the barley market. High temperatures and low rainfall in early 2024 stressed crop production, while the national agriculture policy for 2022-2026 aimed at commercialization and diversification could support market development.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Lesotho
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Lesotho by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production barley in Lesotho

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Lesotho's barley production hit its lowest point at 291.6 tonnes, with a 4.4% decline that year. Production then recovered slightly in 2020, reaching 300.5 tonnes, which represents a modest 3.1% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Lesotho in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.0%)	(4.4%)	3.1%	(0.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports barley from Lesotho

Exports in kind, kg

Lesotho's barley exports in 2020 amounted to 19 kilograms, marking a sharp 39.7% year-on-year decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 56.3%, averaging an annual decline of 24.1%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 47.1% decrease, while 2019 saw the biggest increase at 37.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lesotho in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(47.1%)	37.0%	(39.7%)	(24.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Lesotho's barley exports were entirely dependent on South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of all shipments in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, Lesotho's barley exports were valued at 26 US dollars, down 10.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.1%. The steepest decline was in 2018 at 29.3%, while 2019 recorded a 7.0% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(29.3%)	7.0%	(10.2%)	(12.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, South Africa was the sole destination for Lesotho's barley exports, absorbing 100.0% of the total value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports barley to Lesotho

Imports in kind, kg

Lesotho imported 38 565 kilograms of barley in 2020, a measured 5.6% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 34.3%, averaging an annual decline of 13.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 33 963 kilograms, which also saw the largest drop of 42.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 20.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lesotho in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(42.1%)	20.3%	(5.6%)	(13.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the top supplier of barley to Lesotho, accounting for 65.9% of total imports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

The barley import market in Lesotho showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 15 594 US dollars, followed by a peak in 2019 at 30 000 US dollars, representing a 1.9-fold increase. In 2020, imports fell sharply to 18 272 US dollars, a 39.1% drop from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 92.4% rise.

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