SADC: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in SADC

The SADC barley market expanded remarkably to $X in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Barley Production in SADC

In value terms, barley production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 140% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

South Africa (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of barley production, comprising approx. 79% of total volume. Moreover, barley production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Zimbabwe (X tons), sixfold. Tanzania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.9% share.

In South Africa, barley production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Zimbabwe (+1.0% per year) and Tanzania (+6.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of barley in SADC dropped rapidly to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -15.5% against the year before. Overall, the yield recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 36%. Over the period under review, the barley yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. 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 skyrocketed to X ha in 2022, picking up by 20% against the year before. The total harvested area indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, barley harvested area decreased by -14.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to barley production attained the maximum at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Barley Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, barley exports in SADC fell significantly to X tons, with a decrease of -32.1% on 2021. In general, exports saw a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 141% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, barley exports declined markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a dramatic contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 149% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Zambia (X tons) represented the largest exporter of barley, mixing up 66% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by South Africa (X tons). All these countries together took near 33% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to barley exports from Zambia stood at -17.4%. At the same time, South Africa (+13.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +13.5% from 2012-2022. Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Tanzania and South Africa increased by +14 and +14 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest barley supplier in SADC, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

In South Africa, barley exports increased at an average annual rate of +17.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (-35.8% per year) and Tanzania (-17.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -63.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 78%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 SADC

Barley imports soared to X tons in 2022, picking up by 663% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports recorded pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 812%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, barley imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed a perceptible expansion. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 87% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Zimbabwe (X tons), comprising a 6.9% share of total imports. Swaziland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to barley imports into South Africa stood at +11.1%. At the same time, Swaziland (+45.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Swaziland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +45.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-13.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+44 p.p.) and Swaziland (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Zimbabwe saw its share reduced by -33.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported barley in SADC, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with an 8.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to +12.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zimbabwe (-13.3% per year) and Swaziland (+32.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -6.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 92% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($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 (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform