Covered Barley, Malt Grade and Breeding Advances: Segment Insights from the Barley Market

The Barley Market spans food, beverage, feed and specialty applications, and its segments tell different stories. Polaris Market Research reports a global market value of USD 156.33 billion in 2024, USD 161.85 billion in 2025 and a projected USD 220.52 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 3.50% during 2025–2034. Asia Pacific was the largest market in 2024. The report segments the market by type, grade, distribution channel, industry vertical and region, and links growth to rising world barley production, increasing demand for food products, the popularity of beer and other alcoholic beverages, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Health-Conscious Buyers Back a Fast-Growing Type

By type, the report covers covered, two-row and six-row barley. The covered barley segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The report notes that it is considered a healthy food because of its high fiber content and low glycemic index, which appeals to health-conscious consumers. As more people adopt plant-based diets, demand for grains such as covered barley is expected to increase, and its status as an ancient grain cultivated for thousands of years supports growing interest in traditional and heritage grains.

Malting Quality Sustains the Largest Grade

By grade, the market is divided into food grade, feed grade and malt grade. The malt grade segment held the larger share in 2024. It is a key ingredient in beer, whiskey, malted milk and malted breakfast cereals, so rising demand for these products lifts demand for malt grade barley. The report points to high enzyme content and low protein content as the characteristics that make it ideal for malting, since they make it easier to extract fermentable sugars. It typically commands a premium price over feed-grade barley, giving farmers an incentive to produce more of it.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 :

https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/barley-market

New Strains and Cultivation Progress

In May 2025, scientists at GB Pant University introduced UPB 1106, a six-row barley strain, after 12 years of research. Approved for cultivation across 12 Indian states, it offers higher yields, improved disease resistance and a protein content of 12.3%, and it thrives best under irrigated and timely sown conditions. More broadly, the report notes that advancements in barley breeding and cultivation techniques offer opportunities for higher productivity and disease resistance.

Health Trends Open New Applications

Rising health awareness and the growing use of barley in functional foods further boost consumption. The report projects higher growth for the food and beverages segment, since barley is a healthy, natural ingredient rich in fiber, protein and other nutrients, used in bread, breakfast cereals, snacks and beverages. In November 2024, EverGrain, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, launched EverPro, an upcycled barley protein, through REBBL ready-to-drink protein shakes, which the report describes as a significant innovation in barley-based functional foods.

Regional Picture

Asia dominates the global market, with China accounting for 35% of imports due to high demand for feed and malt barley. Latin America, particularly South America, is the fastest-growing importer region, driven by the expansion of livestock and dairy industries in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Europe remains strong, with Germany, France and the UK among the world’s top producers, favorable climatic conditions, efficient agricultural practices and a global leadership position in malt production. In Asia Pacific, China, India and Australia are leading contributors, supported by government initiatives to boost agricultural output, while North America also holds a notable share, led by the United States and Canada.

Key Players and Takeaway

Key companies operating in the market include Briess Malt & Ingredients, Cargill, Crisp Malting, EverGrain, Grain Millers, GrainCorp, IREKS, Malt Products, Malteurop, Maltexco, Muntons and The Soufflet.

For B2B stakeholders, grade, type and innovation each shape opportunity in the Barley Market, and the full Polaris Market Research report offers deeper segment-level analysis.

Conclusion

The Barley Market is anticipated to experience stable growth, driven by increasing demand from the food processing, animal feed, and brewing industries. Growing consumer interest in whole grains, dietary fiber, and nutritious food ingredients is supporting barley consumption. The expanding use of barley in functional foods, beverages, and livestock nutrition is creating additional market opportunities. Agricultural advancements and improved crop varieties are helping producers enhance productivity and adaptability. However, unpredictable weather conditions, fluctuations in agricultural input costs, and competition from alternative grains may affect market stability. Increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and diversified barley applications is expected to support long-term industry development.

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