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Barley Markets

Barley Malt

The U.S. produces a wide range of malting barley varieties, including both 2-row and 6-row, that are favored not only by the North American industry, but by maltsters and brewers around the world. 

Each year we provide samples to potential customers to evaluate for use in their operations and we gladly host trade visitors to see our production and quality first-hand.

In consultation with the U.S. Grains Council and U.S. industry partners, we provide technical expertise to support the use of our malting varieties in malting and brewing operations across the globe. 

More than 60% of U.S. barley crop is used each year in the domestic beer market.

A new proanthocyanidin-free barley cultivar has been released by Washington State University that is currently being tested for malt quality.  The largest export market for U.S. malting barley is Mexico.  Sales also have been made in recent years to Canada, China, EU, Japan and South Africa. 

Barley Feed

Numerous ruminant livestock feeding trials conducted in the Western U.S., where more than 80% of the market is heavy test weight 2-row varieties, have shown these barleys are comparable to or better than corn in average daily gain and feed efficiency. 

Dairy lactation studies also show a benefit in feeding barley in total milk and milk fat production.  Beef feeding trials receiving a growing and finishing ration at North Dakota State University also confirm a greater feed efficiency and net return.  

The National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility in Aberdeen, Idaho, is developing barley cultivars with reduced levels of phytic acid (lpa) for use in monogastric animal diets. 

Fish feeding trials at the University of Idaho and chicken and pig feeding trials at the University of Missouri have shown that the animals are able to absorb and use a much larger fraction of the barley’s total phosphorous in these lpa cultivars and excrete up to 50% less phosphorous waste. 

There also have been several studies comparing barley versus corn-fed beef steers and market hogs showing that barley-fed animals have a harder whiter fat than corn-fed animals that tend to have a softer, more yellow fat color. 

Barley’s higher protein content is economically advantageous for reducing supplemental protein costs in feed lot and dairy rations. 

In swine diets, barley’s amino acid profile more closely matches the requirements of the animal compared to corn, which reduces the ration cost since less lysine and methionine will have to be added to the diet.

Barley Food

Human food uses of barley are on the rise.  In the U.S., these uses include pearl barley in soups, pilaf mixes and other prepared foods; barley flakes, flour and grits in cereals and baked goods; and whole grain barley products. 

Cereal scientists and nutritionists are now focusing on the extraction of barley beta-glucan fiber for use in a wide range of food products, including drinks and prepared foods.  

The National Barley Foods Council has submitted a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a heart healthy claim on barley foods containing high levels of beta-glucan fiber.  This petition shows that barley beta-glucans help reduce bad cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, the number one disease threat in the U.S.

The FDA health claim is based on extensive research findings, including 50 animal feeding trials using barley in the diet showing a 10 to 52% reduction in LDL cholesterol and 6 human clinical studies from 1989 to 2002 that have shown a decrease in LDL cholesterol of 5 to 15%.

Photo courtesy of National Barley Foods Council

Future human clinical studies will focus on the benefits of barley in moderating glucose absorption and improving immune response in the human body.
 Additional Research Information

WASHINGTON – Increased corn exports are continuing to draw down stocks, according to the

To read the full report, visit the USDA web site at http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/index.htm.

See also Industry Links

USDA Grain Price Reports

Weekly Purcell Agricultural Commodity Market Report