Kenyan farmers shift from wheat to barley as prices improve

Kenyan farmers are increasingly reducing wheat area in favour of barley due to better profitability and more stable demand. According to FAS USDA, the shift is relatively easy because the two crops have similar soil and climate requirements in the country’s main producing regions.

Under contract arrangements, high-quality barley in Kenya can fetch up to $0.46/kg, 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 is being driven mainly by the brewing industry in neighbouring countries. Kenya exported around 40 thsd tons of barley in 2025, with 38.3 thsd tons, or 93%, shipped to Uganda. Tanzania bought another 1.15 thsd tons.

Strong export demand is already reducing availability for the domestic market. USDA estimates that only around one-quarter of locally produced barley remains for Kenya’s malting and brewing industries.

Barley production in Kenya is also recovering rapidly. After yields fell to 2.47 t/ha in 2023, output increased by 64.6% in 2024 and by a further 19.8% in 2025 to a record 64.8 thsd tons. A continued shift from wheat to barley could support further growth in the sector.

Tags: barley, wheat, Kenya