Barley production in South Africa
South Africa: Barley production was 374,000 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Barley production in South Africa, 1961–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, barley production in South Africa stood at 374,000 tonnes.
The figure is down 0.8% on the previous year and up 23.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, barley production in South Africa peaked at 588,000 tonnes in 2020 and was at its lowest, 20,000 tonnes, in 1969.
South Africa ranks 41st of 105 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 38,222 tonnes | 20,000 tonnes | 51,000 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 71,700 tonnes | 32,000 tonnes | 141,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 173,000 tonnes | 60,000 tonnes | 280,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 217,296 tonnes | 90,800 tonnes | 300,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 198,376 tonnes | 141,100 tonnes | 240,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 313,400 tonnes | 194,000 tonnes | 421,500 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 395,000 tonnes | 302,000 tonnes | 588,000 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
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- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is barley production in South Africa?
- Barley production in South Africa was 374,000 tonnes in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest barley production recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 588,000 tonnes in 2020.
- What is the lowest barley production recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 20,000 tonnes in 1969.
- How does South Africa rank for barley production?
- South Africa ranks 41st out of 105 countries with data for 2024.
- Is barley production rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Barley production. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 64 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Barley production is measured in tonnes.