Barley: Production
How the Soviet collapse shrank the world's barley crop
How the Soviet collapse shrank the world's barley crop What this tab covers Who produces it and how much: world output over recent years, the top producing countries with their shares, USGS world figures for 2024 and 2025, and the largest producing companies globally and in India.World output was 142.0 Mt in 2024 (FAOSTAT), below the 179.1 Mt of 1990 but above the 123.7 Mt of 2010. Production collapsed in the 1990s as former Soviet livestock herds shrank, then recovered. Russia grew 11.7% of the 2024 crop, Australia 9.3%, Germany 7.5%, France 6.8%, Canada 5.7% and Turkiye 5.7%. The HHI of 520 means production is unconcentrated. The EU as a bloc is the largest grower. Yields swing with rainfall in Australia and the Black Sea region.
Barley · FAOSTAT
Chart: World production of Barley
World production, tonnes. Hover for values.Top producers 2024
Russia 11.7% Australia 9.3% Germany 7.5% France 6.8% Canada 5.7% Türkiye 5.7% Spain 5.2% United Kingdom 5.0% Concentration: HHI 520, unconcentrated.Largest producers by company, global
- Boortmalt (Axereal group): 3.1 Mt malt capacity (27 plants, before cuts of up to 0.3 Mt) (2025)
- Soufflet Malt (InVivo group): 2.36 Mt malt capacity (28 malthouses) before adding United Malt Group's 1.25 Mt (2023)
Largest producers by company, India
- United Breweries (Heineken group): 0.11 Mt malt capacity planned (phase one), sourcing up to 0.25 Mt barley from over 50,000 farmers (2028 (planned))
- Soufflet Malt India: 0.0165 Mt malt capacity at Alwar (16,500-18,000 t) (2026)