In 2025/26 MY, Ukraine exports 2.8 mln tons of barley, which is 22% above the previous marketing year

Barley production remains relatively stable during the war years, but has decreased significantly compared to the pre-war period. In 2025/26 MY, Ukraine harvested 5.3 mln tons of barley (0.4% above the last marketing year and 19.7% below the 5-year average).

Key insights regarding this crop: 

• The largest area reduction, but high yield: among all grains, barley areas decreased the most due to the temporary occupation of part of the territory and lower export potential. In 2025/26 MY, barley was cultivated on 1.4 mln ha (0.9% below the last marketing year and 26.4% below the 5-year average). However, barley is the only grain to show higher yields compared to previous periods – 3.9 t/ha, which is 0.4% above the last marketing year and 8.4% above the 5-year average. 
• Revival of exports: after the export volume declined in 2024/25 MY to 2.3 mln tons (8.4% below the previous marketing year) , exports are expected to increase by 22.0% to 2.8 mln tons in 2025/26 MY. This growth will be possible due to increased production, reduced domestic consumption and high transitional stocks. 
• Domestic consumption continues to decline: domestic consumption of barley in 2025/26 MY is estimated at 2.8 mln tons, of which 1.9 mln tons are for feed and 0.2 mln tons – for food. Domestic barley consumption in Ukraine has been declining for a long time.

Conclusion: despite the largest area decrease among all grains , barley managed to maintain production volumes due to yield growth. Reduced domestic consumption and the availability of transitional stocks allow Ukraine to increase exports in 2025/26 MY, meeting the demand of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Find out more in the agricultural outlook 2025:  https://cutt.ly/XtQeCL7O