Barley Market By Type (Hulled Barley, Pearled Barley, Barley Flour, Barley Grits, Barley Flakes, Barley Malt, Quick Pearl Barley, Others), By Grain Type (Two-Row Barley, Six-Row Barley, Multi-Row Barley), By Processing Type (Raw, Roasted, Malted, Flaked, Polished, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets, Health Food Stores, E-commerce, Bulk Distributors, Others), and By End User (Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Breweries & Distilleries, Animal Feed Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Companies, HoReCa), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

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What trends will shape Barley Market in the coming years?

The Barley Market accounted for USD 24.08 Billion in 2024 and USD 24.96 Billion in 2025 is expected to reach USD 35.72 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 3.65% between 2025 and 2035. The barley market can be defined as international trade and economic dynamics that exist to produce, distribute, and consume barley, which is a versatile grain of the cereal group. Barley finds its main application in animal feeding, production of beer and other alcoholic beverages, and general use in soups, breads, and health food. Such countries as Russia, Australia, Canada, and the European Union are major producers. The demand and prices of the barley market are also subject to other influences that include weather conditions, international demand, trade regulations, and competitor crop prices. This is an important market in the agriculture, food, and beverages sector.

What do industry experts say about the Barley market trends?

“China’s removal of anti-dumping duties on Australian barley has reopened a major export channel and is expected to stabilize global barley prices.”

• Brett Hosking, Chairman, GrainGrowers Ltd, Australia

Which segments and geographies does the report analyze?

What are the key drivers and challenges shaping the Barley market?

Is increasing beer production pushing barley demand across global markets?

The growing amount of beer produced is a considerable force that causes the rise in barley in international markets. One of the main ingredients of brewing beer is barley, and with the increasing size of the beer industry across the globe and in the emerging economies, the demand for high-quality malting barley is also increasing in equal proportion. The world production of barley as a malting grain has continued to rise, which is strong, with a dramatic change in the world in Asia and Africa, where beer consumption seems to be on an upward trend, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is also noted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that barley ranks as the top cereal grain applied to brewing, and some 50% of all the barley produced in the world is applied to the malting and brewing sector.

Further, with the change of preference of consumers to craft and specialty beers, the need to have special barley types with unique characteristics has increased the demand in the market even more. Such an increase in beer production also restricts the supply of barley crops, thereby increasing prices and inducing new farmers to leave more land for barley farming. Therefore, the growth of the beer industry is in direct proportion to the growth of barley demand all over the globe, according to the statistics of authoritative agencies in the sphere of agriculture.

Does growing animal feed demand stimulate barley cultivation and trade?

The increased demand for animal feed is a considerable driver of barley production and trade. Barley is a desirable type of feed grain because of its abundance of fibre and energy, especially with livestock like cattle and sheep. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that 60% of the production of global barley production is fed to animals. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), countries whose livestock industry is huge, like Canada and Australia, have expanded their barley planting areas by around 8-12 per cent in the last five years to satisfy the needs of food.

According to the agriculture view of the European Commission, the growth of the animal feed industry is directly attributed to the increase in production of barley and the consequent resort to exports in major barley-developing countries. Such increased demand by the feed industry is what is influencing farmers to increase production, hence increasing the availability of the product both domestically and in international trade. Overall, the barley market is today being fed by the demand for animal feed as a frequent driving factor of it, the economies of rural areas, and the sustainability of global agriculture.

Is price volatility impacting farmer profits and overall barley stability?

Fluctuation in price acts as a major factor in influencing farmer returns and the stability of barley. The unstable prices of barley are also not helping the farmer since it becomes a challenge to make sensible planning of production and investment matters. The barley prices have also recorded significant fluctuations over the recent years, and the farmgate prices have been differing by 25-30% within a short period, as per the data of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Such volatility has frequently contributed to low profit margins for the growers, particularly among small-scale farmers who are not cushioned with funds.

The unstable prices may also demoralise the farmers because they are less willing to allocate sufficient acreage to plant barley, which has an impact on the stability of supply. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also points out the fact that the instability of prices in staple crops such as barley can contribute to aggravated food security and market operation. Therefore, it is vital to tackle price instability to enhance farm returns and a stable barley supply chain.

Can organic barley farming create new avenues in premium markets?

Organic barley production holds a massive potential of opening up new markets in the premium sector as it responds to the increasing customer appetite for health-conscious and sustainably grown grains. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that organic food sales have steadily grown, and consumers have shown great interest in organic foods. Dietary fibre-rich and antioxidant-rich barley would fit into the nutrition- and quality-oriented organic market. The USDA Organic certification enables organic barley to earn high prices and penetrate niche markets, e.g., organic craft beer and health foods.

A steady increase in the acreage of organic farmlands has been recorded in the National Organic Program (NOP), featuring an increasing number of farmers involved in organic farming. In the export markets, organic standards are stringent, and organic barley appreciates this point. Organic barley is also strengthened by government endorsement through the creation of organic certification systems and the sustainability of farming, which further makes organic barley superior in premium markets.

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The growth of the biofuel industry will also greatly increase the consumption of industrial-grade barley because barley is a major component in the production of bioethanol and other biofuels. Barley is an effective source of fermentable sugars needed in the production of biofuels since it consists of a high level of starch.

The production of biofuels using cereal grains, of which barley is included, has grown continuously over the last ten years, driven by policies to reduce carbon emissions and, among other policies, an encouragement of renewable energy sources, as cited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). You can take the example of the U.S., where the USDA concisely demonstrates that the amount of bioethanol to be produced in the country in recent years is more than 15 billion gallons, which requires great amounts of grain with high starch content.

Research published at the University of Minnesota highlights the fact that barley is increasingly being used as a sustainable feedstock owing to its flexibility across a wide range of climates and the low input that it requires in comparison to other grains. The synergy between barley production and the production of biofuels can help to boost the economy of the rural markets and enhance the evolution of the industrial barley cultivars, maximized towards producing biofuels, opening new market opportunities and raising the economic value of barley production on the world markets.

What are the key market segments in the Barley industry?

Based on the type, the Barley Market is classified into Hulled Barley, Pearled Barley, Barley Flour, Barley Grits, Barley Flakes, Barley Malt, Quick Pearl Barley, and Others. The most striking segment in the barley market is the pearled barley one. It is because the pearled barley, which has had the outer hull and the bran coats removed, permits faster cooking and a soft texture thereafter and is very profitable to food applications, e.g., soups, stews, and salads. With its wide acceptance by consumers, ease of use, and versatility, it leads to high demand in all parts of the globe. The balanced nutrition of pearled barley and its easy preparation are additional factors that make pearled barley outweigh other kinds, such as hulled barley or barley flour.

Based on the Processing Type, the Barley Market is classified into Raw, Roasted, Malted, Flaked, Polished, and Others. In the processing segment, the most dominant part of the barley market is taken up by the malted barley segment. The malted barley is very important because it is widely used in the brewing and distilling sectors as a major raw material used in the production of beer and whisky. The malt process increases the enzymatic level of the barley, which is crucial in the transformation of starch into fermentable sugars. The alcohol beverage industry needs this product at a high rate, hence making it the most important group in the market, in addition to its contribution to food products and health products.

Which regions are leading the Barley market, and why?

The North American barley market holds the largest share because of several important factors. The area is very fertile, with its rich arable land and the best modern technologies in agriculture to produce a high yield of barley. Countries such as the United States and Canada have well-developed farming, a strong infrastructure, and access to modern irrigation facilities, which facilitate constant and efficient cultivation. The climate of North America favours the growth of barley, particularly in regions such as the northern plains and Canadian prairies.

Market growth is boosted by the high demand for barley in the region because of its use in animal feeds, breweries, and food supplies. Further, the existence of great exporters of barley in North America is boosting its authority in international trade, thus enabling it to secure a top rank within the trade. North America can be described as an important player in the barley market due to the combination of desirable natural conditions, high-tech levels, and industrial demand.

The Asia Pacific barley market is growing because of its wide agricultural environment and its increase in demand among different industries. Among them are such countries as China, Australia, and India, as they have beneficial climatic conditions to promote barley on a large scale. The high livestock industry in the region fuels the demand for barley as a source of animal food, and the increased use of barley food items and drinks, e.g., beer, increases the market demand in the region. The efficiency of production can be augmented by boosting investments in agricultural technology and government assistance in crop diversification.

The rising population and changing eating habits of Asia Pacific also drive the barley consumption and entrench its dominance in the barley market in the world. Further, there is the propensity for trade in the region, which favours export opportunities, and countries are selling excess barley to save the world. Another aspect of environmental sustainability champions the use of barley, where it has been advocated that barley is a tough crop that copes well with the weather changes. All this makes the Asia Pacific stay dominant in the barley market.

What does the competitive landscape of the Barley market look like?

The barley market has both large multinational agribusinesses and special malting companies that compete to cater to the rising demand of brewing, food, and feed. These leading industry players have market control, with Cargill, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Malteurop Group, and COFCO Corporation controlling supply chains through their worldwide networks in sourcing and distribution. Newer trends are putting more emphasis on sustainability and value-added barley products, where companies such as EverGrain LLC are making an innovation in barley-based food ingredients.

Acquisitions and undertakings of strategic partnerships have also been remarkable in that other firms want to broaden their geographical and product base. As an example, the entry of Soufflet Group into new malting capacities and Boortmalt into sophisticated technologies of processing are actions towards enhancing efficiency and quality. The domestic stakeholders, such as GrainCorp Limited, are further consolidating their market presence by augmenting their storage and logistics capabilities. Generally, the competitive world is changing and being innovated, and sustainability and internationalisation are the growth forces.

Barley Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Which recent mergers, acquisitions, or product launches are shaping the Barley industry?

• In March 2025, U.S. barley growers, especially in Montana, faced declining beer demand and rising input costs. They also feared that retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico could severely impact their exports.

Report Coverage:

By Type

• Hulled Barley
• Pearled Barley
• Barley Flour
• Barley Grits
• Barley Flakes
• Barley Malt
• Quick Pearl Barley
• Others

By Grain Type

• Two-Row Barley
• Six-Row Barley
• Multi-Row Barley

By Processing Type

• Raw
• Roasted
• Malted
• Flaked
• Polished
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets
• Health Food Stores
• E-commerce
• Bulk Distributors
• Others

By End User

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers
• Breweries & Distilleries
• Animal Feed Manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Companies
• HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafés)

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Cargill, Inc.
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Malteurop Group
• Soufflet Group
• Boortmalt Group
• GrainCorp Limited
• COFCO Corporation
• EverGrain LLC
• Grain Millers, Inc.
• Crisp Malting Group
• Muntons PLC
• Briess Malt & Ingredients Company
• Great Western Malting
• United Grain Company
• China Grain Group

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)