Australia: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in Australia

The Australian barley market fell sharply to $X in 2022, reducing by -19.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Barley Production in Australia

In value terms, barley production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 41%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of barley in Australia fell to X tons per ha in 2022, waning by -11.8% compared with 2021. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average barley yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The barley harvested area in Australia contracted to X ha in 2022, waning by -4.1% on the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% 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 was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to barley production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Barley Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2022, shipments abroad of barley decreased by -8.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, posted a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 105% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, barley exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 123%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the main destination for barley exports from Australia, with a 42% share of total exports. Moreover, barley exports to Saudi Arabia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Kuwait (X tons), with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Saudi Arabia stood at +13.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+8.6% per year) and Kuwait (+12.5% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the key foreign market for barley exports from Australia, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Saudi Arabia totaled +14.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+10.2% per year) and Kuwait (+14.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average barley export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 26% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Japan ($X per ton) and Kuwait ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Iran ($X per ton) and Vietnam ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico (+12.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Barley Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of barley, when their volume decreased by -73.1% to X tons. In general, imports faced a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 102%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, barley imports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest barley supplier to Australia, with a 72% share of total imports. Moreover, barley imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, South Korea (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Thailand (X tons), with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at -9.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (-21.0% per year) and Thailand (+10.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of barley to Australia, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with an 8.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at -6.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (-12.0% per year) and Thailand (+9.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average barley import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 79% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sri Lanka (+16.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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