Market overview
The global barley market is worth USD 29.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 39.2 bn by 2036, growing at a 2.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Animal feed is the largest by use segment.
| Scope | Barley grain grown and sold for malting, animal feed and food use, valued at first sale by farmers and grain traders. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 29.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 29.7 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 39.2 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 2.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 145,711 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 157,551 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 204 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Barley market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 29.7 bn |
| 2027 | USD 30.6 bn |
| 2028 | USD 31.4 bn |
| 2029 | USD 32.3 bn |
| 2030 | USD 33.2 bn |
| 2031 | USD 34.1 bn |
| 2032 | USD 35.1 bn |
| 2033 | USD 36.1 bn |
| 2034 | USD 37.1 bn |
| 2035 | USD 38.1 bn |
| 2036 | USD 39.2 bn |
Barley market segmentation
By use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal feed | 56.0% | 53.2% | USD 16.6 bn | 2.3% |
| Malting | 30.0% | 31.4% | USD 8.9 bn | 3.3% |
| Food and other | 14.0% | 15.4% | USD 4.2 bn | 3.8% |
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-row | 56.0% | 55.8% | USD 16.6 bn | 2.8% |
| Six-row | 34.0% | 33.5% | USD 10.1 bn | 2.7% |
| Hulless and other | 10.0% | 10.7% | USD 3.0 bn | 3.5% |
By crop calendar
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring barley | 50.0% | 49.0% | USD 14.9 bn | 2.6% |
| Winter barley | 40.0% | 40.0% | USD 11.9 bn | 2.8% |
| Facultative and others | 10.0% | 11.0% | USD 3.0 bn | 3.8% |
By end user
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers and distillers | 24.0% | 24.0% | USD 7.1 bn | 2.8% |
| Livestock producers | 42.0% | 40.0% | USD 12.5 bn | 2.3% |
| Food processors | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 5.4 bn | 3.4% |
| Seed and other | 16.0% | 17.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 3.4% |
By form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole grain | 62.0% | 60.0% | USD 18.4 bn | 2.5% |
| Malted | 28.0% | 29.0% | USD 8.3 bn | 3.2% |
| Flaked, flour and others | 10.0% | 11.0% | USD 3.0 bn | 3.8% |
Top 25 countries for barley by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 62.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 89.3%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 3.6 bn | 12.0% | USD 4.9 bn | 3.2% |
| 2 | Russia | USD 2.4 bn | 8.0% | USD 3.0 bn | 2.3% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 2.1 bn | 7.0% | USD 2.6 bn | 2.2% |
| 4 | France | USD 1.8 bn | 6.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 2.3% |
| 5 | Spain | USD 1.8 bn | 6.0% | USD 2.4 bn | 2.8% |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | USD 1.5 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 3.2% |
| 7 | United States | USD 1.5 bn | 5.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 2.2% |
| 8 | Turkey | USD 1.5 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 3.2% |
| 9 | Canada | USD 1.2 bn | 4.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 2.8% |
| 10 | United Kingdom | USD 1.2 bn | 4.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 2.3% |
| 11 | Australia | USD 1.2 bn | 3.9% | USD 1.9 bn | 5.1% |
| 12 | Ukraine | USD 1.2 bn | 3.9% | USD 1.6 bn | 3.0% |
| 13 | Iran | USD 877 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 2.8% |
| 14 | Iraq | USD 707 mn | 2.4% | USD 932 mn | 2.8% |
| 15 | Morocco | USD 597 mn | 2.0% | USD 788 mn | 2.8% |
| 16 | Algeria | USD 523 mn | 1.8% | USD 686 mn | 2.7% |
| 17 | Egypt | USD 464 mn | 1.6% | USD 611 mn | 2.8% |
| 18 | Japan | USD 419 mn | 1.4% | USD 552 mn | 2.8% |
| 19 | Netherlands | USD 383 mn | 1.3% | USD 505 mn | 2.8% |
| 20 | Poland | USD 357 mn | 1.2% | USD 470 mn | 2.8% |
| 21 | Brazil | USD 330 mn | 1.1% | USD 435 mn | 2.8% |
| 22 | Mexico | USD 309 mn | 1.0% | USD 407 mn | 2.8% |
| 23 | India | USD 291 mn | 1.0% | USD 384 mn | 2.8% |
| 24 | Belarus | USD 276 mn | 0.9% | USD 364 mn | 2.8% |
| 25 | Kazakhstan | USD 262 mn | 0.9% | USD 345 mn | 2.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 3.2 bn | 10.7% | USD 4.0 bn | 2.5% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Cargill
- Archer-Daniels-Midland
- Viterra
- Bunge
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- COFCO International
- Olam Agri
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Malteurop
- Boortmalt
- Soufflet Group
- GrainCorp
- Muntons
- Crisp Malt
- Viking Malt
- Rahr Corporation
- Castle Malting
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- CHS
- Richardson International
- Axéréal
- The Andersons
- Scoular
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the barley market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 2.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by use, by type, by crop calendar, by end user, by form. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the barley market?
The global barley market is estimated at USD 29.0 bn in 2025 and USD 29.7 bn in 2026.
How fast will the barley market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 39.2 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 2.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 9.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for barley?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 3.6 bn in 2026, 12.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 27.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 3.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which barley segment is largest?
In the by use split, Animal feed is the largest segment with 56.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading barley companies?
Global leaders include Cargill, Archer-Daniels-Midland, Viterra, Bunge.
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