Kenyan Farmers Favour Barley Over Wheat Amid Rising Demand

Kenyan farmers are switching from wheat to barley due to better profitability and more stable demand. According to the USDA, the shift is relatively easy because both crops have similar soil and climate requirements in Kenya's main producing regions.

The high-quality barley can fetch up to $0.46/kg under contract arrangements, which is around 7% more than top-grade wheat at about $0.43/kg. On regional export markets, barley prices reached as high as $0.62/kg in 2025.

Demand for barley is mainly driven by the brewing industry in neighbouring countries. Kenya exported around 40,000 tons of barley in 2025, with 38,300 tons, or 93%, shipped to Uganda and Tanzania buying another 1,150 tons.

Strong export demand is reducing availability for the domestic market, with only one-quarter of locally produced barley remaining for Kenya's malting and brewing industries. Barley production in Kenya is recovering rapidly, increasing by 64.6% in 2024 and a further 19.8% in 2025 to a record 64,800 tons.