MERCOSUR: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the MERCOSUR barley market decreased by -14.1% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Barley Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, barley production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 136% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of barley production was Argentina (X tons), comprising approx. 73% of total volume. Moreover, barley production in Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Uruguay (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (X tons), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Argentina totaled -1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (+13.0% per year) and Brazil (+4.7% per year).

In 2022, the average barley yield in MERCOSUR declined slightly to X tons per ha, leveling off at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% 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 2016 when the yield increased by 29%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell 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 MERCOSUR; surging by 1.9% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, saw a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Barley Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

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 modest growth 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 +73.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 103%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, barley exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed temperate growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Argentina dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), committing 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 MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +88.5% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Uruguay increased by +6.9 percentage points.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest barley supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uruguay ($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

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 30% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible expansion 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 MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas purchases of barley were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, barley imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern 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 represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 58% of total imports. Colombia (X tons) took a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Peru (9.6%). The following importers - Chile (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) - together made up 7.5% of total imports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the barley imports, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ecuador (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Peru and Colombia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-4.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil increased by +29 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported barley in MERCOSUR, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 7.2% share.

In Brazil, barley imports increased 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 Peru (+1.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. 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