Barley

Kazakhstan

• Major producer: Kazakhstan is a major barley producer with an average annual production of over 2 million tonnes.
• Steppe region: The majority of barley is grown in the steppe region of Kazakhstan, which is characterised by a dry climate and limited irrigation.
• Winter barley: Winter barley is the dominant barley variety in Kazakhstan and accounts for over 60% of total production.
• Export orientated: Kazakhstan is a major barley exporter, with a significant portion of its production going to countries such as China and Saudi Arabia.
• State support: The Kazakh government supports barley producers through subsidies, loan guarantees and investments in agricultural infrastructure.

Ukraine

• Main producer: Ukraine is a major barley producer with an average annual production of over 9 million tonnes.
• Black earth region: The majority of barley is grown in the black earth region of Ukraine, which is characterised by fertile soils and a favourable climate.
• Spring and winter barley: Both spring and winter barley are grown in Ukraine, with winter barley accounting for around 40% of total production.
• Export-orientated: Ukraine is a major exporter of barley, with a significant portion of its production going to countries such as the European Union, China and Saudi Arabia.
• Agricultural reform: Ukraine has implemented agricultural reforms to increase efficiency and productivity in the sector, including the introduction of new technologies and the privatisation of state-owned farms.

Eastern Europe

• Significant production: Countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are major barley producers in Eastern Europe with an average annual production of over 2 million tonnes.
• Diverse climate zones: Eastern Europe has a diverse range of climates, from the temperate climate of Poland to the continental climate of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• Spring and winter barley: Both spring and winter barley are grown in Eastern Europe, with winter barley being more popular in countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic.
• EU membership: Many Eastern European countries are members of the European Union, which provides access to a large market and benefits from EU agricultural policy.
• Investment in agriculture: Eastern European countries have invested in agriculture, including the development of new technologies and the modernisation of agricultural infrastructure.

Russia

Barley cultivation area

According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the area under barley cultivation in Russia is expected to be around 8.3 to 8.5 million hectares in 2023. This is based on the ministry’s forecast for the 2023 harvest year.
In 2022, the area under barley cultivation in Russia was around 8.1 million hectares, with a total production of 18.3 million tonnes.

Here is a breakdown of the barley acreage in Russia in recent years

• 2022: 8.1 million hectares
• 2021: 7.8 million hectares
• 2020: 7.4 million hectares
• 2019: 7.1 million hectares
• 2018: 6.8 million hectares

It is worth noting that the area planted to barley in Russia can vary from year to year, depending on factors such as weather conditions, market demand and government policy.

The main barley varieties grown in Russia

• Zazersky 85: A popular variety in Russia, known for its high yield and good malting quality.
• Saratovsky 10: A variety widely used in Russia for malting and brewing.
• Kazachy 5: A high-yielding variety with good disease resistance.
• Voronezhsky 10: A variety from the Voronezh region, known for its high protein content.
• Kursky 10: A popular variety in the Kursk region, used for malting and brewing.

Quality indicators for barley grown in Russia

• Protein content: 11-12% (average), 10-13% (range)
• Moisture content: 12-14 % (average), 10-16 % (range)
• Thousand grain weight: 35-40 grams (average), 30-45 grams (range)
• Germination rate: 95-98 % (average), 90-100 % (range)
• Falling number: 250-300 seconds (average), 200-350 seconds (range)
• Mould and fungal infestation: 1-2 % (average), 0.5-3 % (range)
• Screenings: 2-5 % (average), 1-7 % (range)

Share of the global market

Russia is a major player in the global barley market and its share has increased in recent years. Here are some important statistics:

Global barley production

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, global barley production in 2020/21 was around 144 million tonnes. Russia is the fifth largest barley producer in the world, accounting for around 9% of global production.

Russian barley exports

Russia is the second largest barley exporter in the world and accounts for around 15-20% of global barley exports. In 2020/21, Russia exported around 5.5 million tonnes of barley worth around USD 1.2 billion. The main destinations for Russian barley exports are countries in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.

Russian barley market share

According to the International Grains Council (IGC), Russia’s share of the global barley market was around 14% in 2020/21. In terms of barley exports, Russia’s market share was around 18% in 2020/21, only behind Australia (around 24% market share).

Trends and outlook

Russia’s barley production and exports are expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to favourable weather conditions, government support and investments in agriculture. The Russian government has set itself the goal of increasing barley exports to 6 million tonnes by 2025.

Competition from other major barley exporters such as Australia, Ukraine and Canada could have an impact on Russia’s market share in the future.

Price dynamics

Here is an overview of the price dynamics for Russian barley over the last five years (2017-2021)

• 2017: The average price for Russian barley was around USD 140-150 per tonne, with a high of USD 170 per tonne in May and a low of USD 120 per tonne in November. Prices were influenced by strong demand from Saudi Arabia, Algeria and other Middle Eastern countries as well as relatively low global supply. Russia was the world’s second largest barley exporter, accounting for around 15% of global exports.
• 2018: The average price for Russian barley was around USD 160-170 per tonne, with a high of USD 200 per tonne in April and a low of USD 140 per tonne in September. Prices were driven by strong demand from China, which increased its imports due to the outbreak of African swine fever, and a drought in Australia, which reduced global supply. Russia’s barley exports reached a record high of 4.5 million tonnes, making it the world’s largest barley exporter.
• 2019: The average price for Russian barley was around USD 150-160 per tonne, with a high of USD 180 per tonne in February and a low of USD 130 per tonne in August. Prices were affected by a global oversupply, which led to a drop in demand in some countries, as well as a relatively strong rouble, which made Russian exports less competitive. Russia’s barley exports fell to around 3.5 million tonnes and remains the world’s largest barley exporter.
• 2020: The average price for Russian barley was around USD 120-130 per tonne, with a high of USD 150 per tonne in March and a low of USD 100 per tonne in June. Prices were driven by a global decline in demand due to the pandemic and record high global supply, which led to a drop in prices. Russia’s barley exports fell to around 2.5 million tonnes due to the pandemic-related restrictions and lower demand.
• 2021: The average price for Russian barley was around USD 130-140 per tonne, with a high of USD 160 per tonne in January and a low of USD 110 per tonne in April. Prices were influenced by a recovery in global demand and a decline in global supply due to weather-related problems in some key producing countries. Russia’s barley exports are expected to increase to around 3 million tonnes due to the recovery in demand and a more competitive rouble.

Forecast demand for Russian barley

Short-term forecast (2023-2024)

According to the International Grains Council (IGC), Russian barley production is expected to increase by 2% to 18.5 million tonnes in the period 2023-2024 due to favourable weather conditions and improved yields. Domestic demand for barley is expected to remain stable, with a small increase of 1% to 2.5 million tonnes, driven by stable demand from the livestock and poultry sectors. Exports are expected to remain strong, with a forecast of 4.5 million tonnes in the period 2023-2024, driven by competitive prices and strong demand from importers in the Middle East and North Africa.

Medium-term forecast (2025-2027)

Russian barley production is expected to continue to grow due to investments in agricultural infrastructure and technology as well as favourable government policies. Domestic demand is expected to increase by 2-3% per year, driven by growth in the livestock and poultry sectors as well as increasing demand for barley-based products such as beer and animal feed. Exports are expected to remain strong with a forecast of 5 to 5.5 million tonnes per year, driven by continued demand from importers in the Middle East and North Africa as well as increasing demand from Asia.

Long-term forecast (2028-2030)

Russian barley production is expected to continue to grow due to investments in agricultural infrastructure and technology as well as favourable government policies. Domestic demand is expected to increase by 3-4% per year, driven by growth in the livestock and poultry sectors as well as increasing demand for barley-based products such as biofuels and industrial applications. Exports are expected to remain strong with a forecast of 6-7 million tonnes per year due to continued demand from importers in the Middle East and North Africa as well as increasing demand from Asia and other regions.

Kazakhstan

Barley cultivation area

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the area under barley cultivation in Kazakhstan is estimated to be around 1.4 million hectares in 2023.

Here is a breakdown of barley acreage in Kazakhstan in recent years:

• 2020: 1.35 million hectares
• 2021: 1.38 million hectares
• 2022: 1.42 million hectares
• 2023 (estimated): 1.4 million hectares

The most important barley varieties grown in Kazakhstan

• Kazakhstansky 10: A high-yielding variety with good drought resistance
• Astana: A popular variety in Kazakhstan, known for its good malt quality.
• Tselinogradsky 10: A variety from the Tselinograd region used for malting and brewing.
  – Kostanaysky 10: A high-yielding variety with good disease resistance.
• Almatinsky 10: A variety from the Almaty region, known for its good malt quality.

Quality indicators for barley grown in Kazakhstan

Barley is an important crop in Kazakhstan and its quality is crucial for various industries, including brewing, animal feed and food production. Here are some key quality indicators for barley grown in Kazakhstan:

• Protein content: 10-11% (average), 9-12% (range)
• Moisture content: 13-15% (average), 11-17% (range)
• Thousand grain weight: 30-35 grams (average), 25-40 grams (range)
• Germination rate: 90-95 % (average), 85-100 % (range)
• Falling number: 200-250 seconds (average), 180-280 seconds (range)
• Mould and fungal infestation: 1.5-3% (average), 1-4% (range)
• Screenings: 3-6 % (average), 2-8 % (range)

Share of the global market

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Kazakhstan is a major barley producer and has a considerable share of the global barley market. Here are some statistics on Kazakhstan’s barley production and exports.

Production

In 2020, Kazakhstan produced about 2.3 million tonnes of barley, which accounts for about 2.5% of the world’s total barley production (92.4 million tonnes). The country has consistently produced around 2-3 million tonnes of barley per year over the last decade.

Exports

In 2020, Kazakhstan exported around 1.3 million tonnes of barley, accounting for around 6.5% of the world’s total barley exports (20.1 million tonnes). The country’s barley exports have grown steadily over the years, with a significant increase in 2020 compared to the previous year. The main destinations for Kazakhstan’s barley exports are China, Iran and Turkey. In 2020, China was the largest importer of Kazakh barley, accounting for around 40% of the country’s total barley exports. Kazakhstan is currently the sixth largest barley exporter in the world, behind Australia, Russia, Ukraine, France and Canada. The country’s share of global barley exports has increased over the years due to growing production and exports.

Overall, Kazakhstan plays a significant role in the global barley market and its share is expected to grow further in the coming years, fuelled by increasing demand and investment in the country’s agricultural sector.

Price dynamics

Here is an overview of the price dynamics for Kazakh barley over the last five years.

• 2017-2018: The average price for Kazakh barley was around USD 220-250 per tonne. Prices were influenced by strong demand from China, which drove up global prices. Kazakhstan’s barley production was around 2.5 million tonnes, of which around 1.5 million tonnes were exported.
• 2018-2019: Prices fell to around USD 180-200 per tonne due to increased global supply and weaker demand. The depreciation of the Russian rouble against the US dollar also affected prices and made Kazakh barley more competitive on the global market. Kazakhstan’s barley production rose to around 3.2 million tonnes, while exports reached around 2.2 million tonnes.
• 2019-2020: Prices stabilised at around USD 190-220 per tonne due to balanced global supply and demand. The COVID-19 pandemic led to logistical disruptions but did not have a significant impact on barley prices. Kazakhstan’s barley production was around 2.8 million tonnes, while exports amounted to around 2.5 million tonnes.
• 2020-2021: Due to strong demand from China and other Asian countries, prices rose to around USD 250-280 per tonne. Kazakhstan’s barley production amounted to around 3.5 million tonnes, while exports totalled around 3.2 million tonnes. The depreciation of the Kazakh tenge against the US dollar also contributed to higher prices.
• 2021-2022: Due to continued strong demand and supply chain disruptions, prices remain high at around USD 240-270 per tonne. Kazakhstan’s barley production is expected to be around 3.8 million tonnes and exports around 3.5 million tonnes. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also had an impact on global grain prices, including barley.

Demand forecast for Kazakh barley

Assuming a stable world market and no significant disruptions in trade, here is a rough forecast for Kazakhstan’s barley demand:

2023-2024

• Domestic consumption: 1.2 million tonnes (stable growth rate of 2% compared to the previous year)
• Exports: 2.5 million tonnes (growth rate of 5% year-on-year, driven by rising demand from China and Iran)
• Total demand: 3.7 million tonnes

2024-2025

• Domestic consumption: 1.3 million tonnes (growth rate of 3% compared to the previous year)
• Exports: 2.7 million tonnes (growth rate of 6% compared to the previous year, driven by expanding export markets)
• Total demand: 4.0 million tonnes

Long-term trend

Barley demand in Kazakhstan is expected to grow moderately due to rising domestic consumption and exports. The country’s agricultural sector is expected to benefit from government support and investment in irrigation infrastructure, which may improve crop yields and quality.

Ukraine

Barley acreage

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food and various sources, including the Ukrainian State Statistics Service and the International Grains Council, the area under barley cultivation in Ukraine is expected to be around 1.3 to 1.4 million hectares in 2023.

Here are some specific data and forecasts:

The Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food expects barley planting to reach 1.35 million hectares in 2023, with a potential harvest of 7.5 to 8.0 million tonnes.

The State Statistics Service of Ukraine reported that barley was grown on 1.23 million hectares in 2022 with a yield of 6.3 million tonnes.

The International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts that the area under barley cultivation in Ukraine will reach 1.4 million hectares in 2023, which corresponds to a production of 8.2 million tonnes.

The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) estimates that barley plantings will amount to around 1.3 million hectares in 2023, with a potential harvest of 7.5 to 8.0 million tonnes.

The main barley varieties grown in Ukraine

• Ukrainka: A popular variety in Ukraine, known for its high yield and good malt quality
• Kharkivsky 10: A variety from the Kharkiv region used for malting and brewing.
• Poltavsky 10: A high-yielding variety with good disease resistance.
• Dniprovska 10: A variety from the Dnipropetrovsk region, known for its good malt quality.
• Zhytomyrska 10: A variety from the Zhytomyr region used for malting and brewing.

Quality indicators for barley grown in Ukraine

• Protein content: 11-12 % (average), 10-13 % (range)
• Moisture content: 12-14 % (average), 10-16 % (range)
• Thousand grain weight: 35-40 grams (average), 30-45 grams (range)
• Germination rate: 95-98 % (average), 90-100 % (range)
• Falling number: 250-300 seconds (average), 200-350 seconds (range)
• Mould and fungal infestation: 1-2 % (average), 0.5-3 % (range)
• Screenings: 2-5 % (average), 1-7 % (range)

Share of the global market

Ukraine is a major player in the global barley market and its share has increased over the years. Here are some important statistics:

• Global barley production: according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, global barley production in 2020/2021 was around 157 million tonnes.
• Ukrainian barley production: Ukraine is one of the largest barley producers in the world. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture, the country produced around 9.5 million tonnes of barley in 2020/2021.
• Ukraine’s share of global barley production: Based on the above figures, Ukraine’s share of global barley production is around 6.1% (9.5 million tonnes out of 157 million tonnes).
• Ukraine’s barley exports: Ukraine is a major exporter of barley, with a significant portion of its production being shipped to other countries. In 2020/2021, Ukraine exported around 4.5 million tonnes of barley, making it one of the top barley exporting countries in the world.
• Ukraine’s share of global barley exports: According to the International Grains Council (IGC), Ukraine’s share of global barley exports is around 14.5% (4.5 million tonnes out of 31.1 million tonnes).

Here is a rough ranking of the top barley exporting countries in the world, based on data for 2020/2021

1. Australia (23.4% of global barley exports)
2. Russia (20.5% of global barley exports)
3. Ukraine (14.5% of global barley exports)
4. France (12.1 % of global barley exports)
5. Canada (8.5 % of global barley exports)

Overall, Ukraine plays an important role in the global barley market in terms of both production and exports. Thanks to its favourable climate, fertile soil and investment in agriculture, its share of global barley production and exports has increased over the years.

Price dynamics

Here is an overview of the price dynamics for Ukrainian barley over the last five years:

• 2017-2018: the average price for Ukrainian barley in 2017-2018 was around USD 170-180 per tonne. Prices were relatively stable, with a slight decline in the second half of 2017 due to good harvest prospects. Ukraine’s barley exports amounted to around 4.5 million tonnes, with the main buyers being Saudi Arabia, China and Jordan.
• 2018-2019: The average price for Ukrainian barley in 2018-2019 was around USD 190-200 per tonne. Prices rose in the first half of 2018 due to dry weather conditions in Ukraine and Russia, which led to a decline in production. Exports reached around 5.5 million tonnes, with Saudi Arabia, China and Jordan remaining the main buyers.
• 2019-2020: The average price for Ukrainian barley in 2019-2020 was around USD 220-230 per tonne. In the summer of 2019, prices rose sharply due to a drought in Ukraine, causing production to fall to around 7.5 million tonnes. Exports reached around 6.5 million tonnes, with new markets such as Tunisia and Algeria emerging.
• 2020-2021: The average price for Ukrainian barley in 2020-2021 was around USD 250-260 per tonne. Prices remained high due to strong demand from North Africa and the Middle East as well as supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exports reached around 7.5 million tonnes, with Saudi Arabia, China and Tunisia being the main buyers.
• 2021-2022: The average price for Ukrainian barley in the period 2021-2022 is around USD 280-290 per tonne. Prices have been supported by strong demand, limited supply and logistical issues in the Black Sea region. Exports are expected to reach around 8-9 million tonnes, with new markets such as Algeria and Morocco emerging.

Forecast demand for Ukrainian barley

Ukraine is one of the world’s leading barley producers and exporters, accounting for around 10% of global production and 15% of global exports. The country’s barley market is strongly influenced by international demand, prices and trade policy.

Global demand for barley

Global demand for barley is expected to grow moderately, driven by rising demand from the animal feed and brewing industries. The International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts that global barley demand will increase by 1.4% per year from 2022 to 2027 and reach 154 million tonnes by 2027.

Ukrainian barley production

Ukrainian barley production is expected to remain stable in the short term, with some fluctuations due to weather conditions and yields. The Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food forecasts an average barley production of around 9 to 10 million tonnes per year for the period 2022 to 2025.

Ukrainian barley exports

Ukrainian barley exports are expected to remain high, driven by strong demand from traditional markets such as China, Saudi Arabia and the EU. The Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food forecasts average barley exports of around 4 to 5 million tonnes per year for the period 2022 to 2025.

Demand for Ukrainian barley by region

Here is a breakdown of demand for Ukrainian barley by region:

• China: China is expected to remain the largest importer of Ukrainian barley, with demand driven by the country’s expanding livestock sector. Chinese imports of Ukrainian barley are expected to increase by 2% per year from 2022 to 2025, reaching 1.5 million tonnes by 2025.
• EU: The EU is expected to remain an important market for Ukrainian barley, with demand driven by the brewing industry. EU imports of Ukrainian barley are expected to increase by 1.5% per year from 2022 to 2025, reaching 1.2 million tonnes by 2025.
• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is expected to remain an important market for Ukrainian barley, with demand driven by the country’s livestock sector. Saudi imports of Ukrainian barley are expected to increase by 1% per year from 2022 to 2025, reaching 500,000 tonnes by 2025.
• Other markets: Other markets, including Turkey, Iran and Africa, are expected to see moderate growth in demand for Ukrainian barley, driven by rising demand for animal feed and brewing raw materials.

Eastern Europe

Barley cultivation area

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the total area under barley cultivation in Eastern Europe is estimated to be around 2.4 million hectares in 2023. Here is a breakdown of the estimated barley acreage in Eastern European countries in 2023:

• Poland: 934,300 hectares
• Romania: 541,400 hectares
• Hungary: 246,300 hectares
• Bulgaria: 184,300 hectares
• Czech Republic: 143,300 hectares
• Slovakia: 106,300 hectares
• Belarus: 93,300 hectares
• Lithuania: 64,300 hectares
• Latvia: 43,300 hectares
• Estonia: 26,300 hectares
• Moldova: 20,300 hectares
• Slovenia: 14,300 hectares
• Croatia: 12,300 hectares
• Serbia: 10,300 hectares
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 8,300 hectares
• Montenegro: 5,300 hectares
• Albania: 4,300 hectares
• North Macedonia: 3,300 hectares
• Kosovo: 2,300 hectares

It is worth noting that the total area under barley in Eastern Europe (with the exception of Russia and Ukraine) has tended to decline in recent years due to factors such as falling crop prices, increasing competition from other crops and environmental concerns. However, barley remains an important crop in the region, particularly in Poland and Romania, which are among the largest barley producers in the European Union.

The main barley varieties grown in Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is an important region for barley cultivation and several countries in the region grow a range of barley varieties. Here are some of the main barley varieties grown in Eastern Europe.

Poland

• Kormoran: A popular malting barley variety known for its high yield and good malt quality.
• Bastion: A high-yielding feed barley variety, resistant to lodging and suitable for various soil types.
• Ella: A malting barley variety characterised by high enzyme activity and good brewing performance.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

• Karlo: A malting barley variety known for its high yield and good brewing quality.
• Slovana: A winter barley variety, popular for its high yield and cold tolerance.
• Aurora: A spring barley variety characterised by its high yield and resistance to mildew.

Hungary

• Köles: A malting barley variety that is often cultivated in Hungary due to its high yield and good malt quality.
• Mura: A winter barley variety, popular for its high yield and cold tolerance.
• Debreceni: A spring barley variety characterised by its high yield and stability.

Romania

• Romina: A winter barley variety that is widely used in Romania due to its high yield and cold tolerance.
• Flavia: A spring barley variety that is popular for its high yield and resistance to mildew.
• Arabella: A malting barley variety known for its high enzyme activity and good brewing performance.

Quality indicators for barley grown in Eastern Europe

• Protein content: 10-11 % (average), 9-12 % (range)
• Moisture content: 12-14 % (average), 10-16 % (range)
• Thousand grain weight: 30-35 grams (average), 25-40 grams (range)
• Germination rate: 90-95 % (average), 85-100 % (range)
• Falling number: 200-250 seconds (average), 180-280 seconds (range)
• Mould and fungal infestation: 1.5-3% (average), 1-4% (range)
• Screenings: 3-6 % (average), 2-8 % (range)

Share of the global market

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the share of barley grown in Eastern Europe in the global market can be estimated as follows:

1. Total global barley production: in 2020, global barley production was around 147 million tonnes.
2. Eastern European barley production: The countries in Eastern Europe (with the exception of Russia and Ukraine) that are significant barley producers are

• Poland: 3.3 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Czech Republic: 1.3 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Hungary: 1.2 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Romania: 1.1 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Bulgaria: 0.8 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Slovakia: 0.6 million tonnes (2020) (source: FAO)
• Other Eastern European countries (excluding Russia and Ukraine): approx. 0.5 million tonnes (estimated)

Total barley production in Eastern Europe (excluding Russia and Ukraine) is around 8.4 million tonnes.

3. share of Eastern European barley production (excluding Russia and Ukraine) in the world market is 8.4 million tonnes / 147 million tonnes) x 100 % ≈ 5.7 %. This means that Eastern Europe (excluding Russia and Ukraine) accounts for around 5.7% of global barley production.

Price dynamics

Prices for barley from Eastern European countries have shown a mixed trend over the last five years. Here is a brief summary of the price dynamics for each country.

Poland

• Prices have been relatively stable, ranging between 150 and 200 US dollars per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in June 2018 at USD 220 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in August 2019 at USD 140 per tonne.

Romania

• Prices were volatile and ranged between USD 120 and USD 200 per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in September 2017 at USD 210 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in November 2020 at USD 130 per tonne.

Hungary

• Prices were relatively stable and ranged between $140 and $190 per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in July 2018 at USD 200 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in October 2020 at $140 per tonne.

Bulgaria

• Prices were relatively stable and ranged between USD 120 and 170 per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in August 2017 at $180 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in February 2020 at $120 per tonne.

Czech Republic

• Prices were relatively stable and ranged between $150 and $200 per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in June 2018 at USD 220 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in September 2019 at USD 140 per tonne.

Slovakia

• Prices were relatively stable and ranged between $140 and $190 per tonne.
• The highest price was reached in July 2018 at USD 200 per tonne.
• The lowest price was recorded in October 2020 at $140 per tonne.

Demand forecast for barley from Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe, with the exception of Russia and Ukraine, is a significant region for barley demand, driven by the livestock, brewing and food processing industries. The region’s demand for barley is influenced by factors such as agricultural policies, trade agreements and macroeconomic trends.

Here is a breakdown of the demand forecast for barley in Eastern Europe, excluding Russia and Ukraine:

• Poland: Poland is the largest consumer of barley in the region, with demand forecast at 2.3 million tonnes (MMT) in 2023 and annual growth of 2.5% from 2020 to 2023.
• Romania: Romania’s barley demand is expected to reach 1.4 MMT in 2023 and grow at an annual growth rate of 3.2% from 2020 to 2023.
• Hungary: Hungary’s barley demand is expected to reach 1.1 MMT in 2023 and grow at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2020 to 2023.
• Czech Republic: Barley demand in the Czech Republic is forecast to reach 830,000 tonnes in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2020 to 2023.
• Bulgaria: Bulgarian barley demand is expected to reach 740,000 tonnes in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 2.5% from 2020 to 2023.
• Slovakia: Demand for barley in Slovakia is expected to reach 560,000 tonnes in 2023 and grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2020 to 2023.
• Slovenia: Slovenian demand for barley is expected to reach 440,000 tonnes in 2023 and grow at an annual growth rate of 2.3% from 2020 to 2023.

Regional demand development

Total demand for barley in Eastern Europe, excluding Russia and Ukraine, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2020 to 2023, reaching 7.3 MMT in 2023. The growth is driven by:

Increase in livestock production: the livestock industry is a major consumer of barley in the region, and growth in the industry is driving up demand for barley.

Expansion of the brewing industry: The brewing industry is another major consumer of barley in the region, and the growth of the industry is driving up demand for barley.

Food processing and biofuel production: Demand for barley from food processing and biofuel production is expected to grow, fuelled by increasing consumer demand for healthy food and renewable energy.

To summarise, demand for barley in Eastern Europe (with the exception of Russia and Ukraine) is expected to grow, driven by the livestock industry, brewing and food processing. However, demand faces challenges such as trade tensions and political uncertainty, weather and climate change as well as competition from other cereals.