Barley producers

Country-level production data for barley.

RankCountryProduction (MT)Share %Notes
1Russia20,000,00014Central, Volga, Siberia. Large 2024 crop. Feed barley dominant. Variable export tax policy.
2Australia12,500,0009.5South Australia, Victoria, WA, NSW. Good 2024 rainfall = 12+ MMT strong crop. ENSO-sensitive (El Nino 7 MMT, La Nina 13 MMT range). World's largest barley exporter.
3France12,000,0008.5Champagne-Ardenne, Centre, Burgundy. Stable. Both winter (feed) and spring (malting).
4Germany11,000,0007.5Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony. Beer brewing demand strong domestic.
5Ukraine8,500,0006Central/Southern regions. War disruption continues. Pre-war was top-3 exporter.
6Canada9,500,0006.5Alberta, Saskatchewan. Drought-reduced 2024 ~8-9 MMT; recovering from 2021 60% drought cut. Premium malting barley focus.
7Spain9,000,0006Castile and Leon, Aragon. Domestic feed dominant.
8Turkey8,000,0005.5Konya, Ankara, Central Anatolia. Domestic feed and malting.
9United Kingdom7,500,0005East Anglia, Scotland. Whisky distilling and craft beer demand. Maris Otter heritage malting.
10Argentina4,500,0003Buenos Aires Province. Counter-seasonal SH malting supplier (Nov-Dec harvest).
11Poland3,500,0002.5
12Romania2,500,0001.5Southern/Western. Constanta export port.
14Denmark3,500,0002Jutland
15Kazakhstan2,500,0001.5Northern regions

Major importers

  • USA North Dakota, Montana, Idaho. Net importer (Canada primary source).
  • China World's largest importer. Feed + malting. Australian supply key (after 2020-23 dispute resolved).
  • Saudi Arabia Second largest importer. Feed/fodder for desert livestock. Major SAGO tender buyer.
  • Japan Malting for beer. Strictest quality specs globally. Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin demand.
  • Iran Feed
  • Belgium Re-export + malting hub
  • Algeria
  • Netherlands Re-export + feed
  • South Korea Malting
  • Brazil Malting; Argentine supply primary