South Africa: Barley Market 2025

Barley Market Size in South Africa

The South African barley market was estimated at $X in 2022, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. Barley consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Barley Production in South Africa

In value terms, barley production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 179%. Barley production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of barley in South Africa fell notably to X tons per ha in 2022, reducing by -19% against 2021 figures. Overall, the yield showed a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 46% against the previous year. The barley yield peaked 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 in South Africa soared to X ha in 2022, picking up by 25% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 -16.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 30% against the previous year. The barley harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Barley Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, barley exports from South Africa reduced rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -74.8% against the year before. Overall, exports, however, showed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 247% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, barley exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 425% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for barley exports from South Africa, accounting for a 61% share of total exports. Moreover, barley exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mozambique (X tons), with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zambia amounted to +139.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+10.8% per year) and Mozambique (+81.4% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for barley exports from South Africa, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zambia amounted to +137.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+3.6% per year) and Mozambique (+68.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average barley export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -25.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a pronounced expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 94% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Lesotho (-0.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Barley Imports

Imports into South Africa

Barley imports into South Africa skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, increasing by 76,257% on 2021. In general, imports saw a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 203,315%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, barley imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a resilient increase. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Australia (X tons) was the main barley supplier to South Africa, with a 99.9% share of total imports. It was followed by France (X tons), with less than 0.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Australia amounted to +421.9%.

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of barley to South Africa, comprising 99.9% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with less than 0.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Australia totaled +432.1%.

Import Prices by Country

The average barley import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -13.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded modest growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 218% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Australia totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+25.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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