Barley market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Poland saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. Market volume expanded from 3 064 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 444 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting sharply to 2 853 thousand tons in 2020.

Market size continued to decline in 2021, falling to 2 677 thousand tons. Cool weather during April and May hampered crop growth and reduced the barley harvest. Simultaneously, increased import demand from non-EU countries for European grain raised barley prices and spurred Polish exports, drawing supply away from the domestic market. In 2022, the market stabilized around 2 700 thousand tons. Supply was constrained by shortages of malting barley and poor quality of the spring harvest, which limited overall availability.

By 2023, the market volume decreased further to 2 576 thousand tons. A substantial drop in barley production across the European Union and in Ukraine created stronger export opportunities for Polish barley, increasing outbound shipments. Domestically, a shift in planting areas—with spring barley acreage rising 12% while winter barley area fell 10%—influenced production levels. For 2024, growing barley supplies from Argentina are exerting downward pressure on global prices, while within the EU, high malting barley prices are tempered by weakening beer demand.

Production barley in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland ranked 15th globally in barley production.

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

In 2020, Poland produced 2,948 thousand tons of barley, marking an 11.0% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 22.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, at 21.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 10.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's barley production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 549.6 million US dollars, showing a substantial 16.5% year-over-year drop. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%.

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

Exports barley from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland's barley export volume totaled 301.5 thousand tons, a 263.3% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 45.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany accounted for 80.9% of Poland's total barley exports in volume, with the remainder distributed among a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports were at their lowest in 2017 and highest in 2020, reflecting a 4.3-fold gap. In 2020, barley deliveries from Poland reached 56,197 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp 240.8% year-over-year rise. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 54.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany dominated Poland's barley exports in value terms, absorbing 76.8% of total flows, while numerous minor partners made up the rest.

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

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

Imports barley to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's barley import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 206.1 thousand tons, a 4.2% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 225.0 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia (20.8% of imports in volume), Slovakia (16.2%), and Denmark (13.2%) led the list of barley suppliers to Poland, jointly accounting for 50.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Poland's barley imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 41,679 thousand US dollars, which is 15.4% less year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 17.9%, equating to a 5.6% annualized rate. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 49,256 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 38.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland's barley imports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Czechia (19.0% of imports in value), Germany (14.7%), and Denmark (14.3%) jointly accounted for only 47.9% of total flows.

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

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