As the only market to receive exports of more than 80,000 metric tons (MT), Mexico sustained its ranking as the top export market for U.S. barley and barley products in the 2021/2022 marketing year (MY), totaling 323,500 metric tons (MT), or 15 million bushels. The country purchased more than 75 percent of the U.S. barley and barley products exported.

As the craft beer industry grows in the country, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) continues to look for ways to create better and more competitive market access in Mexico. The Council’s Mexico office brought several procurement teams to the U.S. in 2022, educating them on the process of securing barley each year, while also explaining the overall growing and harvesting process.

The Council has also led groups of U.S. growers to Mexico in 2022, allowing them to network and create connections with Mexican brewers face-to-face.

While the craft brewing industry is smaller than the commercial industry, it does use malt in a larger proportion. The Council looks forward to the partnerships that may arise between U.S. barley growers and the Mexican beer industry.