Africa: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in the African barley market, when its value decreased by -3.9% to $X. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Barley Production in Africa

In value terms, barley production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 65%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Ethiopia (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), with a combined 81% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +3.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average barley yield declined rapidly to X tons per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -16.3% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha, and then shrank remarkably in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of barley were harvested in Africa; increasing by 6.2% compared with the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the barley harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Barley Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, barley exports in Africa contracted significantly to X tons, dropping by -16.2% on the previous year. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 104%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, barley exports dropped remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kenya prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 86% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), committing an 8.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - Tanzania (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) - each finished at a 4.1% share of total exports.

Kenya was also the fastest-growing in terms of the barley exports, with a CAGR of +16.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Africa (+13.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Zambia (-17.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Kenya (+62 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Zambia saw its share reduced by -60.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kenya ($X) emerged as the largest barley supplier in Africa, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 3.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kenya totaled -11.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+17.6% per year) and Zambia (-35.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -35.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 16%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Barley Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of barley decreased by -4.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 67%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, barley imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Algeria (X tons), Libya (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) represented roughly 98% of total imports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Libya (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Algeria ($X) and Tunisia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 78% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Tunisia, with a CAGR of +17.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 22%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Libya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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