Total planted area for barley in Canada was 2.219 million hectares in 2017, 10% lower than the previous year, and production was also down 10% year on year at 7.5 million tonnes, said the Grain Commission, which noted that the lower output was related to a decline in area seeded and reduced yield. The average barley yield in 2017 was estimated at 69.8 bushels per hectare compared to 73.9 bushels per hectare in 2016.

In 2017, the area seeded with barley was about 23% lower than the 10-year average, while barley production was 11% below the 10-year average, according to the Grain Commission.

The report noted that the quality of the crop was good, featuring high kernel weights and plumpness.