Barley production in Zambia
Zambia: Barley production was 8,154 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Barley production in Zambia, 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 Zambia stood at 8,154 tonnes.
That represents a change of up 131.7% on the previous year and down 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, barley production in Zambia peaked at 15,295 tonnes in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 1961.
That places Zambia 88th out of 106 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Barley production in Zambia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1962 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1963 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1964 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1965 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1966 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1967 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1968 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1969 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1970 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1971 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1972 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1973 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1974 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1975 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1976 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1977 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1978 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1979 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1980 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1981 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1982 | 1,643 tonnes | — |
| 1983 | 1,895 tonnes | +15.3% |
| 1984 | 2,000 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1985 | 2,300 tonnes | +15.0% |
| 1986 | 2,300 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 2,300 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 2,300 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 2,300 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 1,414 tonnes | -38.5% |
| 1991 | 415.76 tonnes | -70.6% |
| 1992 | 1,500 tonnes | +260.8% |
| 1993 | 2,500 tonnes | +66.7% |
| 1994 | 2,200 tonnes | -12.0% |
| 1995 | 1,500 tonnes | -31.8% |
| 1996 | 2,000 tonnes | +33.3% |
| 1997 | 1,800 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 1998 | 1,500 tonnes | -16.7% |
| 1999 | 2,000 tonnes | +33.3% |
| 2000 | 2,000 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 2,214 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 2002 | 2,073 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2003 | 2,164 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2004 | 2,151 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 2,133 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 1,909 tonnes | -10.5% |
| 2007 | 1,973 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2008 | 2,035 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2009 | 2,094 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 1,089 tonnes | -48.0% |
| 2011 | 8,878 tonnes | +714.9% |
| 2012 | 15,295 tonnes | +72.3% |
| 2013 | 11,524 tonnes | -24.7% |
| 2014 | 8,425 tonnes | -26.9% |
| 2015 | 2,109 tonnes | -75.0% |
| 2016 | 7,530 tonnes | +257.0% |
| 2017 | 6,529 tonnes | -13.3% |
| 2018 | 5,102 tonnes | -21.9% |
| 2019 | 8,417 tonnes | +65.0% |
| 2020 | 10,784 tonnes | +28.1% |
| 2021 | 8,556 tonnes | -20.7% |
| 2022 | 14,201 tonnes | +66.0% |
| 2023 | 3,519 tonnes | -75.2% |
| 2024 | 8,154 tonnes | +131.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 8,154 tonnes is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 43,878 tonnes, 19% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 8,154 tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8,154 tonnes, 1.0× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Barley production in Zambia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +714.9% | 1,089 tonnes | 8,878 tonnes |
| 1992 | +260.8% | 415.76 tonnes | 1,500 tonnes |
| 2016 | +257.0% | 2,109 tonnes | 7,530 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,704 tonnes | 0 tonnes | 2,300 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,683 tonnes | 415.76 tonnes | 2,500 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,075 tonnes | 1,909 tonnes | 2,214 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,490 tonnes | 1,089 tonnes | 15,295 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,043 tonnes | 3,519 tonnes | 14,201 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is barley production in Zambia?
- Barley production in Zambia was 8,154 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 15,295 tonnes in 2012.
- What is the lowest barley production recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 1961.
- How does Zambia rank for barley production?
- Zambia ranks 88th out of 106 countries with data for 2024.
- Is barley production rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.