Barley Suppliers, Trade & Prices — Market Overview 2026
Sub Product
Hulled Barley Grain, Pearled Barley Grain
Derived Products
Miso, Whisky, Ground Barley, Bourbon, +9
HS Code
100390
Last Updated
2026-09-17
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Barley market coverage spans 151 countries.
- 3,333 exporter companies and 2,957 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 4,998 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 countries.
- 8 premium suppliers and 8 catalog items are currently listed.
- Wholesale sample entries: 5; farmgate sample entries: 5.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
- Page data last updated on 2026-09-17.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Barley
Analyze 4,998 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Barley.
Barley Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Barley to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Barley: Ethiopia (+62.5%), United States (-53.9%), China (+53.9%).
Barley Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-10, benchmark Barley country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2026-03, countries with visible Barley transaction unit prices: Italy (15.49 USD / kg), Peru (2.05 USD / kg), China (1.80 USD / kg), India (0.42 USD / kg), United States (0.39 USD / kg), 3 more countries.
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | +6.5% | 116 | 30.91 USD / kg (4,010.16 kg) | 24.61 USD / kg (12,448.92 kg) | 20.72 USD / kg (18,910.2 kg) | 26.10 USD / kg (12,783.48 kg) | 23.77 USD / kg (2,012.28 kg) | 15.49 USD / kg (15,067.2 kg) | ||||||
| Australia | +1.9% | 285 | 0.29 USD / kg (78,677,015 kg) | 0.30 USD / kg (8,907,480 kg) | 0.28 USD / kg (9,951,025 kg) | 0.27 USD / kg (14,412,980 kg) | 0.27 USD / kg (9,024,960 kg) | 0.36 USD / kg (832,850 kg) | ||||||
| Germany | +18.2% | 32 | 1.64 USD / kg (1,314 kg) | - (-) | 0.77 USD / kg (46,991,547 kg) | 1.18 USD / kg (1,000 kg) | 1.20 USD / kg (625 kg) | - (-) | ||||||
| China | +53.9% | 26 | - (-) | 2.00 USD / kg (22,800 kg) | 1.90 USD / kg (7,050 kg) | 0.82 USD / kg (436,648.3 kg) | 1.96 USD / kg (475 kg) | 1.80 USD / kg (500 kg) | ||||||
| India | -6.5% | 488 | 0.39 USD / kg (469,331 kg) | 0.46 USD / kg (752,521.575 kg) | 0.44 USD / kg (159,721.1 kg) | 0.48 USD / kg (386,822 kg) | 0.54 USD / kg (708,485.6 kg) | 0.42 USD / kg (518,035.5 kg) | ||||||
| United States | -53.9% | 135 | 0.43 USD / kg (7,723,552.72 kg) | 0.47 USD / kg (1,104,118 kg) | 0.47 USD / kg (29,143,378.17 kg) | 0.49 USD / kg (655,149.5 kg) | - (-) | 0.39 USD / kg (330,204 kg) | ||||||
| Uruguay | -26.4% | 119 | 0.27 USD / kg (924,000 kg) | 1.00 USD / kg (9.6 kg) | 1.50 USD / kg (21.78 kg) | 0.22 USD / kg (62,241,332.1 kg) | 0.26 USD / kg (36,944,676.2 kg) | 0.26 USD / kg (20,737,360.8 kg) | ||||||
| Peru | +49.6% | 112 | 2.44 USD / kg (102,012.71 kg) | 2.66 USD / kg (5,730.79 kg) | 2.40 USD / kg (28,109.38 kg) | 2.16 USD / kg (7,023.61 kg) | 2.23 USD / kg (6,315.3 kg) | 2.05 USD / kg (3,751.79 kg) | ||||||
| Chile | -50.2% | 78 | 3.56 USD / kg (240,394.161 kg) | 3.71 USD / kg (379,470.604 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| France | -53.4% | 22 | - (-) | 0.30 USD / kg (33,000,000 kg) | 0.38 USD / kg (3,999,279.988 kg) | 0.26 USD / kg (18,580,950 kg) | 0.35 USD / kg (4,673,344 kg) | - (-) |
Barley Global Supply Chain Coverage
6,290 companies
3,333 exporters and 2,957 importers are mapped for Barley.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Barley, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Barley Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
3,333 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Barley. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Barley Verified Export Suppliers and Premium Partners
8 premium Barley suppliers include country, industry, and contactability signals to prioritize credible export partners faster.
CARGILL SOCIEDAD ANONIMA COMERCIAL E INDUSTRIAL
Argentina
Crop ProductionFood Manufacturing
Nidera S.A.
Argentina
Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Wholesalers
Zenith Eclipse Co
United Arab Emirates
Contact
Food Wholesalers
Davis Trade & Commodities
United States
Brokers And Trade Agencies
Agrosource ltd
Ukraine
ContactCatalog
Eidhak Trading PLC
Ethiopia
Brokers And Trade AgenciesFood Manufacturing
Prairie Grain Portal
Canada
ContactCatalog
SimplyExim
India
Become a Premium Supplier to join the Tridge Supply Chain Network and advance your marketing and export channel strategy.
Barley Global Supplier Catalog Offers and Export Pricing Opportunities
Compare 8 Barley supplier listings by origin, Incoterms, minimum volume, and offer price to identify export-ready sourcing opportunities.
Barley Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 3,333 total exporter companies in the Barley supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-01-07
Recently Export Partner Companies: 6
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingBrokers And Trade AgenciesCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingTrade
Exporting Countries: Peru, Poland, Mozambique, Morocco, China, Australia, Vietnam, Iran, Bangladesh, India
Supplying Products: Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil, Maize Grain +5
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-17
Recently Export Partner Companies: 6
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Alcoholic Beverage ManufacturingBeverage ManufacturingFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingTrade
Exporting Countries: Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, India, Brazil
Supplying Products: Barley Malt, Barley, Pale Barley Malt +1
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-06-22
Recently Export Partner Companies: 15
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Crop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Services And Drinking Places
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingLogistics
Exporting Countries: Belgium, Vietnam, Turkiye, United States, United Arab Emirates, India, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China
Supplying Products: Barley, Dried Soybean, Maize Grain +5
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-06-24
Recently Export Partner Companies: 12
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 500M - 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingTrade
Exporting Countries: Brazil, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, China
Supplying Products: Maize Grain, Dried Soybean, Soybean Meal +5
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-06-24
Recently Export Partner Companies: 10
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / PackingFood Manufacturing
Exporting Countries: United States, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, India, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Brazil
Supplying Products: Barley Malt, Barley, Lager Beer +5
(Argentina)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-06-25
Recently Export Partner Companies: 10
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Services And Drinking Places
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingRetailTrade
Exporting Countries: Algeria, Malaysia, Morocco, China, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Chile, Vietnam, India
Supplying Products: Soybean Meal, Maize Grain, Soybean Oil +5
Barley Global Exporter Coverage
3,333 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Barley supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Barley opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Top Exporting Countries for Barley (HS Code 100390) in 2024
For Barley in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 6,443,105,867.65 kg | 1,653,639,053.422 USD |
| 2 | Germany | 3,393,644,805.221 kg | 715,574,089.385 USD |
| 3 | Canada | 2,574,899,373 kg | 665,688,680.271 USD |
| 4 | Argentina | 2,683,189,800 kg | 634,788,093.11 USD |
| 5 | Ukraine | 3,690,716,015.77 kg | 629,826,607.53 USD |
| 6 | Romania | 2,508,399,905.229 kg | 496,994,245.78 USD |
| 7 | Hungary | 982,912,495.35 kg | 188,291,481 USD |
| 8 | United Kingdom | 628,111,460 kg | 174,609,744.325 USD |
| 9 | Bulgaria | 866,121,777 kg | 171,865,304.499 USD |
| 10 | Turkiye | 386,402,684 kg | 113,790,725 USD |
Barley Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary
Track Barley exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.
Sourcing diagnosis
Where should you be sourcing Barley from?
Just tell us your spec and the volume you need. We'll check whether it's actually sourceable, and which origins and suppliers fit.
Free diagnosis, no account required.
Barley Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
2,957 importer companies are mapped for Barley demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Barley Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 2,957 total importer companies tracked for Barley. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Turkiye)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-17
Recently Import Partner Companies: 13
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: Cyprus, Turkiye, Netherlands, Tunisia, Italy, Algeria
(Netherlands)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-17
Recently Import Partner Companies: 3
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingBrokers And Trade AgenciesCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: -
(United Arab Emirates)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-17
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Brokers And Trade AgenciesCrop Production
Value Chain Roles: Uganda, Bangladesh, Turkiye
(Switzerland)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-11-29
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: Bangladesh
(Switzerland)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-12-02
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, South Korea, India
(Philippines)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-07
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood WholesalersOnline Retail And Fulfillment
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
2,957 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Barley.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Barley buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Top Import Demand Countries for Barley (HS Code 100390) in 2024
For Barley in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 2,666,785,886.397 kg | 608,532,606.325 USD |
| 2 | Belgium | 1,628,660,386.5 kg | 440,191,655.454 USD |
| 3 | Japan | 1,204,305,504.116 kg | 371,292,738.459 USD |
| 4 | Spain | 1,587,340,680.487 kg | 359,267,384.783 USD |
| 5 | Brazil | 937,258,960 kg | 291,570,204 USD |
| 6 | Germany | 712,038,622.197 kg | 205,263,836.206 USD |
| 7 | Italy | 780,464,487 kg | 164,161,976.3 USD |
| 8 | Ireland | 524,983,799.645 kg | 110,954,505.982 USD |
| 9 | Israel | 303,974,786.989 kg | 80,886,000 USD |
| 10 | Denmark | 325,196,844.261 kg | 74,730,199.75 USD |
Barley Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary
Analyze Barley origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.
Export diagnosis
Your Barley — which buyers could it sell to?
Just tell us what you make. We'll see whether you're ready to export today and which markets suit your offer.
Free diagnosis, no account required.
Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Barley
Barley Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country
Monthly Barley wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2026-03, countries with visible Barley wholesale unit prices: Ukraine (0.42 USD / kg), United Kingdom (0.41 USD / kg), France (0.23 USD / kg), Germany (0.22 USD / kg), Poland (0.21 USD / kg).
| Country | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 0.44 USD / kg | 0.43 USD / kg | 0.43 USD / kg | 0.42 USD / kg | 0.41 USD / kg | 0.42 USD / kg | ||||||
| United Kingdom | - | - | - | 0.39 USD / kg | 0.41 USD / kg | 0.41 USD / kg | ||||||
| Germany | 0.20 USD / kg | 0.21 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | ||||||
| Poland | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.21 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.21 USD / kg | ||||||
| France | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.23 USD / kg | 0.23 USD / kg | 0.24 USD / kg | 0.23 USD / kg |
Barley Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries
Compare Barley wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 5 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
| Rank | Country | Average | Lower | Upper | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 0.41 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.52 USD / kg | -1.7% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 0.38 USD / kg | 0.35 USD / kg | 0.42 USD / kg | +8.3% |
| 3 | Germany | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.17 USD / kg | 0.27 USD / kg | -4.9% |
| 4 | Poland | 0.21 USD / kg | 0.18 USD / kg | 0.25 USD / kg | -6.2% |
| 5 | France | 0.23 USD / kg | 0.21 USD / kg | 0.26 USD / kg | +4.7% |
Latest Barley Wholesale Export Price Updates
Use the latest 5 Barley wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
| Date | Entry Name | Unit Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | Bar******** ******* * ************ ***** | 28.38 USD / kg | |
| 2026-09-01 | Bar******** * ************ *********** | 25.30 USD / kg | |
| 2026-09-01 | Кру** ******* ****** * *** * ******* **** | 0.50 USD / kg | |
| 2026-09-01 | Bar******* * ****** ********** | 71.08 USD / kg | |
| 2026-09-01 | Bar******** ****** ******* * ************ ***** | 29.50 USD / kg |
Price data
Which Barley prices do you need?
We'll open up the full price history and competitor benchmarks. Just tell us which numbers you need and we'll walk you through them.
Global Farmgate Supplier Price Trends by Country for Barley
Barley Monthly Farmgate Supplier Price Summary by Country
Monthly Barley farmgate unit-price benchmarks by country to monitor supplier-side cost movement.
In 2026-03, countries with visible Barley farmgate unit prices: United Kingdom (0.00 USD / kg).
| Country | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0.29 USD / kg | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| United Kingdom | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | ||||||
| Austria | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Brazil | 0.23 USD / kg | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Hungary | 197.16 USD / kg | 201.00 USD / kg | 199.89 USD / kg | 203.73 USD / kg | 198.34 USD / kg | - |
Barley Farmgate Cost Trends by Major Exporting Supplier Countries
Compare Barley farmgate price levels and YoY changes across the top 5 exporting countries to understand origin-side supplier cost structure.
| Rank | Country | Average | Lower | Upper | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 0.28 USD / kg | 0.28 USD / kg | 0.30 USD / kg | -9.1% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | -65.0% |
| 3 | Austria | 0.19 USD / kg | 0.17 USD / kg | 0.20 USD / kg | +11.4% |
| 4 | Brazil | 0.23 USD / kg | 0.22 USD / kg | 0.24 USD / kg | -7.8% |
| 5 | Hungary | 200.48 USD / kg | 191.58 USD / kg | 209.09 USD / kg | +1.0% |
Latest Barley Farmgate Export Cost Updates
Review the latest 5 Barley farmgate updates to monitor origin-side export cost and supplier pricing shifts.
| Date | Entry Name | Unit Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | Bar*** * * *** * | 2.07 USD / kg | |
| 2026-04-01 | Bar*** * * *** * | 2.07 USD / kg | |
| 2026-04-01 | Bar*** * * *** * | 2.07 USD / kg | |
| 2026-04-01 | Bar*** * * *** * | 2.13 USD / kg | |
| 2026-04-01 | Bar*** * * *** * | 2.10 USD / kg |
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried Grain
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupCereals (coarse grains)
Scientific NameHordeum vulgare
PerishabilityLow
Growing Conditions
- Cool-season cereal adapted to temperate climates
- Best performance in well-drained soils with managed nitrogen to balance yield and malting quality
- Sensitive to drought and heat stress during heading and grain fill in many production zones
Main VarietiesTwo-row barley, Six-row barley, Spring barley, Winter barley, Hulless (naked) barley
Consumption Forms
- Animal feed (whole or processed in compound feed)
- Malt for brewing and distilling
- Food grain (pearled barley, flakes, flour in niche uses)
- Seed for planting
Grading Factors
- Moisture and storage condition (risk of mold/insects)
- Test weight and kernel plumpness/screenings
- Protein level (key for malting suitability in many buying programs)
- Germination capacity/energy (malting)
- Foreign material and broken kernels
- Contaminants and mycotoxins (destination-dependent limits)
Market
Barley is a globally traded coarse grain used primarily for animal feed and malting (beer and other malt-based foods), with smaller volumes consumed as food grain in select markets. Production is concentrated in temperate regions across Europe, the Black Sea region, North America, and Australia, with exportable surpluses often dominated by Australia, the EU, and Black Sea origins depending on season and policy conditions. Import demand is shaped by feed grain substitution economics and malting quality requirements, with China and Saudi Arabia frequently cited as major import markets in trade-focused datasets. Global pricing and availability are highly sensitive to drought and heat in key exporting regions and to Black Sea logistics and trade-policy disruptions. Quality segmentation (feed vs malting) creates material price spreads driven by protein, germination capacity, and contamination limits.
Major Producing Countries
- RussiaLarge producer; Black Sea region influences export availability and trade risk exposure.
- FranceMajor EU producer with significant malting barley supply base.
- GermanyMajor EU producer; strong linkages to malting and brewing demand.
- AustraliaKey Southern Hemisphere producer; export-oriented in many years.
- CanadaMajor producer with meaningful malting and feed barley streams.
- UkraineHistorically important exporter; logistics and conflict-driven disruption risk is material.
- TurkiyeLarge producer with significant domestic feed use.
Major Exporting Countries
- AustraliaMajor exporter to Asian markets; trade can be reshaped by import policies and phytosanitary requirements.
- FranceLeading EU exporter; ships both feed and malting grades depending on crop quality.
- RussiaImportant exporter; exposure to sanctions, export controls, and Black Sea freight risk.
- UkraineExport role depends on corridor access and inland logistics constraints.
- CanadaExports malting and feed barley; quality specs drive destination segmentation.
- ArgentinaSeasonal Southern Hemisphere exporter; can supply counter-seasonal to Northern origins.
Major Importing Countries
- ChinaMajor importer for feed and malting; sourcing can shift with trade measures and relative prices.
- Saudi ArabiaHistorically a large feed barley import market supporting livestock sectors.
- IranSignificant feed grain importer; purchases are sensitive to sanctions/finance constraints and price.
- JapanImports for malting and food uses with strict quality and food safety specifications.
- MoroccoImports vary with domestic rainfall and feed demand conditions.
Supply Calendar
- European Union (France/Germany and neighboring producers):Jul, Aug, SepNorthern Hemisphere harvest window; malting quality outcomes depend on in-season weather and post-harvest handling.
- Black Sea region (Russia/Ukraine):Jul, AugNorthern Hemisphere harvest; export cadence depends on port access, freight, and policy conditions.
- Canada (Prairies):Aug, Sep, OctLater Northern Hemisphere harvest; quality and protein can vary with growing-season heat and moisture.
- Australia (Western/Southern growing regions):Nov, Dec, JanSouthern Hemisphere harvest supports counter-seasonal shipments into Asian demand windows.
- Argentina:Nov, Dec, JanSouthern Hemisphere harvest; can supply malting barley into Northern Hemisphere off-season.
Specification
Major VarietiesTwo-row barley (malting types), Six-row barley (malting/feed types), Spring barley, Winter barley, Hulless (naked) barley
Physical Attributes
- Kernel plumpness (screenings) is a key buyer parameter, especially for malting lots.
- Cleanliness (low foreign material) and uniformity support storage stability and processing yield.
- Hull characteristics vary by type and influence malting and food processing performance.
Compositional Metrics
- Protein level is a major discriminator between malting suitability and feed use in many procurement programs.
- Germination capacity/energy is central for malting barley acceptance.
- Mycotoxin and contaminant compliance (where applicable) can determine market access and discounting.
Grades
- Malting barley (brewing/distilling specifications set by maltsters and brewers)
- Feed barley (livestock feed specifications)
- National grain standards and grades (e.g., official inspection grades where applied in exporting countries)
Packaging
- Bulk vessel shipments via grain terminals (panamax/handymax depending on route and port capacity)
- Bulk rail/truck to port and domestic users; inland elevators as aggregation points
- Bagged or containerized shipments for specialty lots (e.g., identity-preserved malting or food barley)
ProcessingMalting performance depends on germination and modification behavior; lots outside malt specs are typically diverted to feed channels.Barley is also processed into pearled barley and flakes for food uses; hulless types can reduce dehulling steps.
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Farm production (spring/winter) -> harvest -> cleaning/drying -> on-farm or elevator storage -> inland logistics (truck/rail/barge) -> export terminal elevation -> ocean freight -> destination storage -> maltsters/feed mills/food processors -> downstream (breweries, livestock sectors, retail food)
Demand Drivers
- Livestock feed demand and substitution versus corn, wheat, and sorghum based on relative prices and availability
- Brewing and distilling demand for malt (quality-driven procurement, often contract-based)
- Food uses in select markets (pearled barley, flakes, and specialty health-positioned products)
- Strategic stockholding and feed security policies in some importing countries
Temperature
- Quality preservation is driven more by moisture control and grain temperature management than refrigeration (aeration and cool, dry storage reduce spoilage and insect pressure).
- Heat and moisture ingress during storage or transit can reduce germination and trigger downgrades from malting to feed.
Atmosphere Control
- Fumigation and pest-control regimes (including sealed storage and controlled-atmosphere approaches in some systems) are used to manage insects and preserve quality.
- Residue compliance and documentation for fumigants/pesticides can affect import clearance depending on destination rules.
Shelf Life
- Barley has a long shelf life when stored dry and protected from insects and mold; malting lots are more sensitive to storage conditions due to germination requirements.
- Extended storage or poor conditions can reduce malting suitability even when feed usability remains.
Risks
Geopolitical And Trade Policy HighA significant share of globally traded barley can be exposed to Black Sea logistics, sanctions, export controls, and conflict-related disruptions, while major importing markets can shift sourcing quickly in response to tariffs or import restrictions. This combination can create abrupt supply gaps, freight bottlenecks, and sharp price volatility for both feed and malting grades.Diversify origin portfolio across hemispheres (e.g., EU/Black Sea/North America/Southern Hemisphere), maintain alternative feed-grain formulations, and use forward contracts/hedging where available.
Climate HighDrought, heat waves, and rainfall variability during grain fill and harvest can reduce yield and alter quality traits (especially malting suitability), tightening availability of premium lots and widening spreads between malting and feed grades.Build multi-origin quality programs, specify acceptable quality ranges with fallback options, and develop contingency sourcing for malting supply.
Quality Segmentation MediumMalting barley requires tighter specifications (germination, protein, kernel size, contamination limits); a weather-affected crop can lead to widespread downgrades into feed channels, disrupting malt supply even if total barley tonnage is adequate.Contract identity-preserved supply, conduct pre-shipment quality testing, and secure blending/alternative malt procurement plans.
Food Safety MediumMycotoxins and other contaminants can restrict market access and trigger rejections or discounts, particularly for food and malting uses with stricter limits than feed channels.Implement supplier testing and segregation, monitor high-risk seasons/regions, and align with destination contaminant standards.
Logistics MediumBulk grain logistics depend on inland transport, terminal capacity, and ocean freight conditions; congestion or disruptions can delay delivery and increase landed costs, affecting competitiveness versus substitute grains.Use diversified logistics corridors, secure shipping slots in advance during peak export periods, and maintain buffer stocks where feasible.
Sustainability
- Climate resilience risk: drought and heat in key exporters (e.g., Australia and parts of Europe/Black Sea) can sharply reduce yields and exportable surplus.
- Nitrogen fertilizer use and associated greenhouse-gas emissions are material sustainability considerations in intensive cereal systems.
- Soil health and erosion management are recurring themes in large-scale grain rotations.
Labor & Social
- Seasonal labor availability and farm safety in mechanized harvesting and grain handling (dust exposure, confined-space risks).
- Traceability and responsible sourcing expectations may increase for malting supply chains serving branded beverage companies.
FAQ
What are the main end uses of barley in global trade?Globally traded barley is mainly used for animal feed and for malting, which supplies brewing and distilling. Smaller volumes are traded for food uses such as pearled barley and flakes, and some trade supports seed markets.
Which quality factors most affect whether barley is sold as malting or feed barley?Malting buyers typically require strong germination performance, appropriate protein levels, and good kernel plumpness with low screenings and foreign material. If these parameters are not met (or if contaminant limits are exceeded), barley is often downgraded into feed channels.
Why can barley prices be volatile even when global production is large?Exportable supply can be concentrated in a few key origins and is sensitive to drought/heat and to trade-policy or logistics disruptions, especially around the Black Sea. In addition, malting-quality barley is a narrower segment than total barley supply, so weather-driven quality downgrades can tighten malt supply and widen price spreads.
Sources
Barley Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Barley market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
All country market pages: Israel, Malaysia, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Romania, Turkiye, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Egypt, Japan, Kazakhstan, Peru, Poland, Estonia, South Africa, Jordan, Lithuania, Uruguay, Czechia, Hungary, Nigeria, Cyprus, India, Italy, Myanmar [Burma], Kenya, Moldova, Slovakia, Iraq, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, Morocco, Greece, Laos, New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Ecuador, Tajikistan, Bulgaria, Iran, Sweden, Croatia, Austria, Philippines, Nicaragua, Portugal, Finland, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Oman, Kuwait, Lesotho, Mongolia, Georgia, Singapore, Chile, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Taiwan, Ivory Coast, Malta, Liberia, Armenia, Macedonia, Qatar, Slovenia, South Korea, Luxembourg, Pakistan, Zambia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Andorra, Albania, Angola, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Bahrain, Burundi, Benin, Bermuda, Brunei, Bolivia, Bahamas, Bhutan, Botswana, Belarus, Belize, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iceland, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Montenegro, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Macao, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Norway, Nepal, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Senegal, El Salvador, Syria, Swaziland, Togo, Tanzania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
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Related Barley Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Barley.
Sub products: Hulled Barley Grain, Pearled Barley Grain
Derived products: Miso, Whisky, Ground Barley, Bourbon, Barley Water, Irish Whiskey, Barley Malt Extract, Barley Malt, Barley Flour, Fruit and Barley Squash, Gin and Geneva, Barley Flakes, Tennessee Whiskey
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