Barley products

Barley products are food products made from barley, a cereal grain that is widely consumed around the world. Barley is a good source of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, which makes it a healthy and nutritious food choice — and the basis for a product family that spans milling, malting and beverage processing.

The principal barley products each call for a distinct processing route. Barley flour is ground barley used as a substitute for wheat flour in baking. Pearl barley is produced by removing the hull and outer bran layer, resulting in a product that cooks faster and is easier to digest. Barley water is made by boiling barley in water and adding sweeteners and other flavourings. Barley malt is made by sprouting barley grains and then drying and grinding them. Barley flakes are made by rolling or flattening barley grains, and barley bread, made from barley flour, has a distinctive nutty flavour and dense texture.

The market for barley products is highly competitive and includes many global players alongside regional and local players. Major participants include Cargill, Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited, Malteurop Groupe, Soufflet Group, GrainCorp Limited, Grain Millers, Inc., Muntons plc, Boortmalt N.V. and Harboe Group. The major driver of the barley product market is the increasing awareness of the health benefits of barley.