E-Malt.com News article: Ukraine: Barley production, exports forecast to increase in 2026/27

In the 2026/27 marketing year, Ukraine is expected to increase corn and barley production, while wheat output is projected to decline. This is stated in the forecast by the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (FAS USDA).

Barley production in 2026/27 may increase to 6.1 million tonnes (+9%), while exports could jump to 4.2 million tonnes (+133%).

However, current-season exports declined sharply. From July 2025 to February 2026, shipments totaled 1.3 million tonnes, down 36% year-on-year. About 80% went to China (490,000 tonnes), Turkey (300,000 tonnes), Libya (138,000 tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (121,000 tonnes).

Due to weak exports, ending stocks rose to 1.95 million tonnes versus 305,000 tonnes a year earlier.

FAS also highlights a general slowdown in Ukraine’s grain export momentum. Average monthly shipments of wheat, barley and corn from July 2025 to March 2026 were 22% lower than a year earlier.

The EU is gradually losing its position as a key market, accounting for 29% of exports in 2025 versus 41% in 2024. This mainly affected wheat and barley after the introduction of import quotas in October 2025.

Additional pressure comes from low global prices and high inventories, while Ukrainian farmers often hold stocks in anticipation of better market conditions.


29 April, 2026