Australia’s Barley Production1: Export Trends and Market Demand

Table of contents

Abstract
Barley export volume (worldwide)
Barley exports (latest year, world)
Barley export volume (continent)
Barley exports (latest year, continental)
Main data
Reference

Abstract

Australia’s barley production, at 10.3 million metric tons (Mt) in 2021, reflects a strong position in the global market, largely due to favorable climate conditions, advanced agricultural practices, and high demand from importers, especially in Asia. Historically, Australia, along with the European Union and Russia, has been a key barley exporter, accounting for a large share of global barley trade. Australia’s barley is primarily used for malting and feed, with major markets in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Despite challenges like trade tensions with China, which introduced tariffs on Australian barley in 2020, Australia has diversified its export markets, finding demand in the Middle East and Latin America. Overall, its barley industry benefits from resilient agricultural infrastructure and high-quality standards, maintaining Australia’s strong export presence.

Barley export volume (worldwide)

Australia’s barley production, peaking at 10.3 million metric tons (Mt) in 2021, highlights its top position in global barley exports. From 1961 to 2021, Australian barley production has steadily grown, supported by modern farming practices, research into crop resilience, and increasing global demand, especially for livestock feed and brewing. While Australia’s exports traditionally relied on major Asian markets, trade tensions—particularly with China since 2020—led to a reorientation toward new markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Despite these shifts, Australia remains at its production peak, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of its barley sector in the face of shifting trade dynamics and evolving global needs.

The maximum is 1.46G[2021] of China, and the current value is about 97.8%

Barley exports (latest year, world)

In 2021, global barley exports reached 55.3 million metric tons (Mt), with Australia leading at a record 10.3 Mt, underscoring its pivotal role in the barley trade. This high production contrasts with the global average export volume of 419,000 metric tons (kt), highlighting the concentration of barley export power among a few key players. Alongside Australia, the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine contribute significantly to the global supply, catering mainly to demand for animal feed and brewing. Trade has experienced shifts, particularly with Australia pivoting to new markets in Asia and the Middle East after tariffs restricted exports to China in 2020. The barley trade remains sensitive to geopolitical shifts and regional demand, but resilient supply from leading exporters maintains market stability.

The maximum is 1.43G of China, the average is 61.6M, and the total is 6.53G

Barley export volume (continent)

Since 1961, Europe has led global barley exports, reaching a peak of 35.4 million metric tons (Mt), the highest on record. Europe’s dominance is driven by favorable growing conditions, extensive arable land, and strong demand for barley in animal feed and brewing, especially within and beyond European markets. Key European exporters, including France, Germany, and Russia, have consistently expanded production capacity to meet global needs. Although trade fluctuates due to geopolitical and economic factors, Europe remains a reliable supplier. Export volumes have trended upward, sustained by the region’s advanced agricultural practices and responsive market strategies, which have cemented Europe as the central player in the global barley trade.

The maximum is the latest one, 4.72G of Asia

Barley exports (latest year, continental)

In 2021, global barley exports totaled 55.3 million metric tons (Mt), with Europe leading at 34.1 Mt, well above the average of 9.22 Mt, highlighting Europe’s dominance in the market. Europe’s success is driven by extensive arable land, advanced farming techniques, and strong demand for barley in animal feed and brewing industries worldwide. Key European exporters, such as France, Germany, and Russia, provide a consistent supply, with a focus on both neighboring and global markets. While geopolitical tensions occasionally impact trade flows, Europe’s ability to maintain high production levels and adapt to shifting demand makes it a resilient player in the global barley export market.

The maximum is 4.72G of Asia, the average is 1.47G, and the total is 7.37G

Main data

Others(Barley, Population) [G]
	World	Asia	Lower-middle-income countries	Upper-middle-income countries	Africa	China	India	High-income countries	Europe	Low-income countries
2022	7.98	4.72	3.45	2.56	1.43	1.43	1.42	1.22	0.74	0.72
2021	7.91	4.68	3.41	2.55	1.37	1.46	1.41	1.22	0.74	0.7
2020	7.84	4.65	3.37	2.54	1.34	1.46	1.4	1.22	0.74	0.68
2019	7.76	4.61	3.33	2.53	1.3	1.45	1.38	1.21	0.74	0.66
2018	7.68	4.57	3.28	2.52	1.26	1.45	1.37	1.21	0.74	0.64
2017	7.6	4.53	3.24	2.5	1.23	1.44	1.35	1.2	0.74	0.63
2016	7.51	4.48	3.19	2.48	1.2	1.43	1.34	1.2	0.74	0.61
2015	7.43	4.44	3.14	2.46	1.17	1.43	1.32	1.19	0.74	0.59
2014	7.34	4.39	3.1	2.44	1.14	1.42	1.31	1.18	0.74	0.58
2013	7.25	4.35	3.05	2.42	1.11	1.41	1.29	1.18	0.74	0.56
2012	7.16	4.3	3.01	2.4	1.08	1.4	1.27	1.17	0.74	0.55
2011	7.07	4.25	2.96	2.38	1.02	1.39	1.26	1.16	0.73	0.54
2010	6.99	4.2	2.91	2.36	0.99	1.38	1.24	1.15	0.73	0.52
2009	6.9	4.09	2.87	2.35	0.91	1.38	1.22	1.15	0.74	0.51
2008	6.81	4.04	2.82	2.33	0.89	1.37	1.21	1.14	0.74	0.49
2007	6.73	4	2.78	2.31	0.87	1.36	1.19	1.13	0.74	0.48
2006	6.64	3.96	2.74	2.29	0.85	1.36	1.17	1.12	0.73	0.46
2005	6.56	3.91	2.69	2.28	0.83	1.35	1.15	1.11	0.73	0.45
2004	6.48	3.87	2.65	2.26	0.81	1.34	1.14	1.1	0.73	0.44
2003	6.39	3.83	2.6	2.24	0.79	1.33	1.12	1.09	0.73	0.43
2002	6.31	3.78	2.56	2.23	0.77	1.32	1.1	1.09	0.73	0.41
2001	6.23	3.74	2.51	2.21	0.75	1.32	1.08	1.08	0.73	0.4
2000	6.15	3.69	2.47	2.19	0.74	1.31	1.06	1.07	0.73	0.39
1999	6.07	3.65	2.42	2.17	0.72	1.3	1.04	1.07	0.73	0.38
1998	5.99	3.6	2.38	2.16	0.7	1.29	1.02	1.06	0.73	0.37
1997	5.91	3.56	2.33	2.14	0.68	1.29	1	1.05	0.73	0.36
1996	5.83	3.51	2.29	2.12	0.67	1.28	0.98	1.05	0.73	0.35
1995	5.74	3.46	2.24	2.1	0.65	1.27	0.96	1.04	0.73	0.34
1994	5.66	3.41	2.2	2.08	0.64	1.25	0.95	1.03	0.73	0.33
1993	5.58	3.36	2.15	2.05	0.62	1.24	0.93	1.02	0.73	0.32
1992	5.49	3.31	2.11	2.03	0.61	1.23	0.91	1.02	0.73	0.31
1991	5.41	3.18	2.07	2.01	0.6	1.21	0.89	1.01	0.79	0.3
1990	5.32	3.13	2.02	1.98	0.58	1.19	0.87	1	0.79	0.3
1989	5.22	3.07	1.98	1.95	0.57	1.17	0.85	0.99	0.79	0.29
1988	5.13	3.01	1.93	1.92	0.55	1.15	0.83	0.99	0.78	0.28
1987	5.04	2.95	1.89	1.88	0.54	1.13	0.82	0.98	0.78	0.27
1986	4.95	2.89	1.84	1.85	0.52	1.11	0.8	0.97	0.77	0.27
1985	4.86	2.83	1.8	1.82	0.51	1.09	0.78	0.96	0.77	0.26
1984	4.78	2.77	1.76	1.79	0.49	1.07	0.76	0.96	0.77	0.25
1983	4.69	2.72	1.72	1.76	0.48	1.05	0.75	0.95	0.76	0.25
1982	4.61	2.67	1.67	1.73	0.47	1.04	0.73	0.94	0.76	0.24
1981	4.52	2.61	1.63	1.71	0.45	1.02	0.71	0.94	0.75	0.23
1980	4.44	2.56	1.59	1.68	0.44	1.01	0.7	0.93	0.75	0.23
1979	4.37	2.51	1.55	1.65	0.43	0.99	0.68	0.92	0.75	0.23
1978	4.29	2.47	1.51	1.63	0.42	0.98	0.67	0.91	0.74	0.22
1977	4.22	2.42	1.48	1.6	0.41	0.97	0.65	0.9	0.74	0.21
1976	4.14	2.37	1.44	1.58	0.4	0.95	0.64	0.9	0.73	0.21
1975	4.07	2.32	1.41	1.55	0.39	0.93	0.62	0.89	0.73	0.2
1974	4	2.27	1.38	1.52	0.38	0.92	0.61	0.88	0.72	0.2
1973	3.92	2.22	1.35	1.49	0.37	0.9	0.6	0.87	0.72	0.19
1972	3.84	2.17	1.32	1.46	0.36	0.88	0.58	0.87	0.71	0.19
1971	3.77	2.12	1.29	1.43	0.35	0.85	0.57	0.86	0.71	0.18
1970	3.7	2.07	1.26	1.4	0.34	0.83	0.56	0.85	0.7	0.18
1969	3.62	2.02	1.23	1.37	0.33	0.81	0.55	0.84	0.7	0.17
1968	3.55	1.97	1.2	1.34	0.32	0.79	0.53	0.83	0.69	0.17
1967	3.48	1.92	1.17	1.31	0.31	0.77	0.52	0.82	0.69	0.16
1966	3.41	1.88	1.14	1.28	0.31	0.75	0.51	0.81	0.68	0.16
1965	3.34	1.83	1.12	1.25	0.3	0.73	0.5	0.8	0.68	0.16
1964	3.27	1.79	1.09	1.22	0.29	0.71	0.49	0.79	0.67	0.15
1963	3.2	1.75	1.07	1.18	0.28	0.7	0.48	0.78	0.66	0.15
1962	3.13	1.72	1.04	1.15	0.28	0.69	0.47	0.78	0.65	0.15
1961	3.07	1.69	1.02	1.13	0.27	0.68	0.46	0.77	0.65	0.14