Latin America and the Caribbean: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American barley market decreased by -9.9% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Barley Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, barley production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 102%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Argentina (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of barley production, comprising approx. 62% of total volume. Moreover, barley production in Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mexico (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Uruguay (X tons), with an 11% share.

In Argentina, barley production decreased by an average annual rate of -1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mexico (-0.8% per year) and Uruguay (+13.0% per year).

The average barley yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the barley yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2021, and then shrank slightly 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, the barley harvested area in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled X ha, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a perceptible setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 23% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Barley Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of barley increased by 56% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +74.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 103% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, barley exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a tangible increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Argentina dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), making up a 6.9% share of total exports.

Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of barley. At the same time, Uruguay (+88.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +88.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of Uruguay (+6.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-6.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest barley supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uruguay ($X), with a 6.6% share of total exports.

In Argentina, barley exports increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 30% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, barley export price increased by +52.7% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Uruguay amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+2.6%).

Barley Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of barley imported in Latin America and the Caribbean soared to X tons, increasing by 32% on the previous year. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -12.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, barley imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil was the main importer of barley in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 53% of total imports in 2022. Colombia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Mexico (X tons) and Peru (X tons). All these countries together held near 41% share of total imports. Chile (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to barley imports into Brazil stood at +11.1%. At the same time, Mexico (+48.3%) and Ecuador (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mexico emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +48.3% from 2012-2022. Peru and Colombia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-4.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+23 p.p.) and Mexico (+9.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Peru (-3.9 p.p.), Chile (-6.5 p.p.) and Colombia (-11.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported barley in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 7.8% share.

In Brazil, barley imports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+0.3% per year) and Mexico (+44.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Chile ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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