Morocco produced an average of 1.6 million tons of barley per year between 2021 and 2023, making it the top North African country, meeting 80% of its local demand, according to data released by UN Food & Agriculture Organization.
Barley is Morocco’s second most widely grown cereal after wheat. It is primarily used as fodder for livestock, including sheep, cattle and goats, and is sometimes consumed by humans as a wheat substitute.
According to “FAO Food Outlook” report 2025, Ethiopia leads Africa barley output with 2.2 million tons of barley produced annually between 2021 and 2023. Morocco comes in the 2nd place in the continent with 1.6 million tons, followed by Algeria (800,000 tons), Tunisia (347,000 tons) and South Africa (337,600 tons).
Barley is a vital agricultural crop in Africa, serving as a key staple food in arid North Africa and the Ethiopian highlands, and a crucial cash crop for malting in South Africa.
It is also deemed as a drought-tolerant crop suitable for marginal lands, ensuring food security in low-rainfall areas while providing essential income for smallholder farmers, boosting household income.
