Barley facts

A recent study by Timothy Nadreau and Steven Peterson, economists with ties to University of Idaho and Washington State University showed the state’s barley industry supports 2,698 jobs in Idaho and is responsible for an average of $551 million in total sales each year in Idaho. Laura Wilder, Executive Director of the Idaho Barley Commission.

“It’s helpful to have the economic study so that we can fully understand the economic impacts of the industry to the state and communicate that to decision makers that might be making decisions agricultural policy, such as state legislators. It’s very helpful for them to have the information and understand barley’s contribution to the state. But also for us to look at, to see if there are any other opportunities for market development, for expanding markets, for growing capacity for improving the industry for the state,” said Wilder.

“In 2021 we grew 37% of the nation’s barley. It’s been hovering around a third the last few years. In 8 of the last 10 years Idaho’s was the top barley state. Montana has been second and North Dakota third but together our three states make up about three quarters of the nation’s barley crop because of the northern tier location is ideal for growing barley. Idaho, with the high desert climate, controlled irrigation water, makes a perfect environment for growing high quality barley that’s highly sought after by the malting industry as well as feed and food barley channels.