Barley is a versatile cereal grain rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support digestion, heart health, and stable blood sugar levels. Barley production offers opportunities across the agricultural, brewing, animal feed, food processing, and farming sectors.
According to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) data for the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY), global barley production is 154.42 million metric tons, up 8% from the previous year. This article covers the world production share of the 10 largest barley producers, their 10-year growth, previous-year data, crop yield, and annual area harvested for MY 2025/2026.
Here’s the list of the largest barley producers by country:
Annual barley production by country in 2025/2026, by USDA
| Country | Total Production (Metric Tons) | % Share of Global Production |
|---|---|---|
 European Union | 56.4 Million | 36.5% |
 Russia | 19.4 Million | 12.6% |
 Australia | 16.63 Million | 10.8% |
 Canada | 9.73 Million | 6.3% |
 United Kingdom | 6.5 Million | 4.2% |
 Ukraine | 5.6 Million | 3.6% |
 Argentina | 5.57 Million | 3.6% |
 Turkey | 5.1 Million | 3.3% |
 Kazakhstan | 3.59 Million | 2.3% |
 United States | 3.1 Million | 2% |
1. European Union
The European Union's barley output stands at 56.4 million metric tons for the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY), making it the world's largest producer. The EU’s worldwide contribution is 36.5%; the region harvested approximately 10 million hectares of land for barley. Moreover, the annual crop yield amounts to 5.6275 metric tons per hectare (MT/HA) in MY 2025/2026.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 50.52 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 12%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 52.23 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.58%
2. Russia
Russia recorded 19.4 million metric tons of barley output in MY 2025/2026, making it the world’s second-leading barley producer. Russia's annual harvested area is 6.4 million hectares, and its global production share is 12.6%. According to the latest data for 2025/2026, the country’s barley yield is approximately 3.0313 MT/HA.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 16.25 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 19%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 19.02 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
3. Australia
Australia's total barley production for the current marketing year is 16.63 million metric tons, representing 10.8% of the world’s total output. According to the USDA, the country’s yield stands at 3.4841 MT/HA, while the total area harvested is 4.8 million hectares.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 13.27 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 25%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 12.55 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 2%
4. Canada
Canada is the fourth-largest barley-producing country, with a worldwide production share of 6.3% and total barley output of 9.73 million metric tons in MY 2025/2026. Total yield is about 4.271 MT/HA, harvested from 2.3 million hectares of land.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 8.14 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 19%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 9 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.96%
5. United Kingdom
In the current marketing year 2025/2026, the United Kingdom’s barley production amounts to around 6.5 million metric tons, comprising 4.2% of the world’s share. The UK's annual area harvested is 1.1 million hectares of land. As stated by the USDA, the barley yield in MY 2025/2026 is 6.0748 MT/HA.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 7.05 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -8%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 7.14 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -0.24%
6. Ukraine
With 5.6 million metric tons of barley production, Ukraine ranks among the 10 highest barley-producing countries for the 2025/2026 marketing year. The country’s barley yield is 3.6129 MT/HA and it contributes 3.6% to global barley production. The total area harvested for barley in Ukraine is 1.6 million hectares.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 5.8 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -3%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 7.72 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -6%
7. Argentina
Argentina is one of the leading barley-producing countries in MY 2025/2026, with output reaching 5.57 million metric tons, accounting for a 3.6% share of global barley production. With 1.2 million hectares of land harvested, the South American country’s yield is reported by the USDA at 4.6658 MT/HA.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 4.82 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: 15%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 4.48 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 5%
8. Turkey
In MY 2025/2026, Turkey produced 5.1 million metric tons of barley on 3.5 million hectares of harvested land. According to the USDA, Turkey’s annual barley output represents a global contribution of 3.3% for the same marketing year. Moreover, the country’s reported crop yield in MY 2025/2026 is 1.4571 MT/HA.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 7 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -27%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 6.62 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 0.71%
9. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan took the ninth spot in global barley production after Turkey, contributing a 2.3% share, with 3.59 million metric tons recorded for the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY). Based on the latest information from USDA, in MY 2025/2026, Kazakhstan harvested 2.3 million hectares of land with a crop yield of 1.5745 MT/HA.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 3.84 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -6%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 3.37 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: 1%
10. United States
The final spot for the largest barley producer, the United States, produced 3.1 million metric tons, with a total global contribution of 2%. According to current recorded data, the nation's annual crop yield is 4.2978 MT/HA in MY 2025/2026, and its harvested barley area is 722,000 hectares.
- Previous-year production stats (MY 2024/2025):
- Average production: 3.15 million metric tons
- Year-over-year change: -1%
- 10-year production stats (MY 2016-2025):
- Average production: 3.49 million metric tons
- Compound average growth: -3%
