In Ukraine, barley prices are falling due to the end of the harvest and weak demand
The harvesting of barley has concluded in Ukraine and the countries of the European Union. Production volumes align with previous forecasts; however, the improved quality of brewing barley this year is putting additional pressure on market prices.
This is reported by AgroReview
Harvest and Price Situation
As of August 29, 2025, Ukraine has harvested 5.16 million tons of barley (winter and spring) from 1.343 million hectares, which is 97% of the total area planted with this crop. The average yield was 3.84 tons/ha. It is expected that the total production volume will reach 5.2–5.3 million tons.
Last week, export prices for barley peaked at 10,400–10,450 UAH/ton, but by Monday, prices had dropped to 10,300–10,350 UAH/ton (215–217 USD/ton) for delivery to Black Sea ports. The price decrease is linked to traders having already purchased the necessary volumes for export. Additional pressure on the market is created by the decline in prices for food wheat to 217–220 USD/ton and for feed wheat to 200–206 USD/ton.
Barley Export and Demand
In the new marketing year (2025/26), as of August 29, Ukraine has exported 562 thousand tons of barley, which is nearly half of the volume compared to the same period last year (1.09 million tons).
“Demand for brewing barley from malt factories is decreasing, as active purchases of quality barley from farmers have led to a shortage of available storage, halting the acceptance of raw materials.”
Demand prices for brewing barley have fallen to 10,400–10,500 UAH/ton with delivery to the factory. Some contracts stipulate delivery only in October or November.
The website of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has been updated with a list of companies authorized to export barley from Ukraine to China. The list has been formed in accordance with the phytosanitary protocols agreed upon between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China.
Demand from China in July significantly supported prices for Ukrainian barley; however, currently, export demand is decreasing due to expectations of a high harvest of feed corn, which is also affecting the market situation.