Barley Market Overview in Middle East

The Middle Eastern barley market declined to $ in 2019, waning by -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the market value increased by % year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, barley production declined to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the production volume increased by % y-o-y. The level of production peaked at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

Turkey ( tonnes) remains the largest barley producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. % of total volume. Moreover, barley production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran ( tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Iraq ( tonnes), with a % share.

In Turkey, barley production remained relatively stable over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (-% per year) and Iraq (-% per year).

In 2019, the average barley yield in the Middle East was estimated at tonnes per ha, remaining constant against 2018 figures. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, the barley yield reached the peak level at tonnes per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, the yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the total area harvested in terms of barley production in the Middle East contracted to ha, with a decrease of -% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when the harvested area increased by % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to barley production reached the maximum at ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, the harvested area failed to regain the momentum.

In 2019, consumption of barley in the Middle East was estimated at tonnes, surging by % compared with 2018. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The size of the barley market in the Middle East declined slightly to $ in 2019, waning by -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by % y-o-y. The level of consumption peaked at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of barley consumption in 2019 were Turkey ( tonnes), Iran ( tonnes) and Saudi Arabia ( tonnes), with a combined % share of total consumption. These countries were followed by Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Syrian Arab Republic, which together accounted for a further %.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of barley consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Kuwait, while barley consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest barley markets in the Middle East were Turkey ($), Saudi Arabia ($) and Iran ($), together comprising % of the total market. These countries were followed by Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait, which together accounted for a further %.

Among the main consuming countries, Kuwait saw the highest growth rate of market size, over the period under review, while barley market for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of barley per capita consumption in 2019 were Kuwait ( kg per person), Saudi Arabia ( kg per person) and Jordan ( kg per person).

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Iran, while barley per capita consumption for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the per capita consumption figures.

Driven by increasing demand for barley in the Middle East, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .