Key facts
- Kenyan farmers are switching from wheat to barley due to higher prices and lower production costs.
- Brewery demand from Uganda and Tanzania is a key driver of increased barley prices.
- Contracted barley farmers can secure prices up to KSh60 per kilogramme.
- Barley prices in regional export markets reached KSh80 per kilogramme in 2025.
- Kenya's barley production hit a record 64,800 tonnes in 2025, with 93% of exports going to Uganda.
- The shift to barley may exacerbate Kenya's reliance on wheat imports.
Kenyan farmers are increasingly opting to grow barley over wheat, driven by attractive pricing and demand from regional breweries, particularly in Uganda and Tanzania. This shift is facilitated by similar cultivation requirements for both crops and favorable contracting arrangements that offer guaranteed prices.
According to the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, contracted barley farmers can secure prices up to KSh60 per kilogramme, which is higher than the approximately KSh55.47 for top-grade locally produced wheat in 2026. Regional export markets have offered even greater returns, with barley prices reaching KSh80 per kilogramme in 2025.
Kenya's barley production has seen a significant recovery and expansion, reaching a record 64,800 tonnes in 2025, with cultivated land increasing to 15,000 hectares. The county of Narok remains the primary production hub, contributing about 60% of the national output.
However, this trend places additional pressure on Kenya's domestic wheat supply, as the country already imports a substantial portion of its wheat needs. The decision for farmers to prioritize barley for higher commercial returns highlights a broader challenge in balancing profitable crop choices with the need to maintain domestic production of essential food commodities.