U.S. barley growers are facing pressure from both sides of the market: weaker beer demand can reduce demand for malt barley, while abundant crops can weigh on prices. Hard seltzer is part of the competition for drinkers—but it is not the only cause, and the available reporting does not quantify its effect on barley demand.
Why does beer demand matter to barley farmers?
Most barley grown for malting goes into the malting industry, which supplies breweries. North Dakota State University crop economist Frayne Olson told Reuters in September 2024 that “the vast majority of what they grow goes into the malting industry, so beer consumption makes a big difference.” When breweries cut production or buy less malt, growers can lose an important market or contract opportunity.
That exposure matters to farm finances because a crop’s profitability depends not just on how much is harvested, but on whether buyers want it and what they will pay. Olson described the loss of a marketing option as significant: “To lose one of your tools to make profit is huge. The farmers are absolutely concerned.” These comments reflect conditions reported in 2024, not a current measure of individual farm finances.
Is hard seltzer replacing beer—and does it use barley?
Reuters’ September 2024 account described hard seltzers and other drinks as competitors for beer. Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson said, “Beer is the biggest loser,” adding that “there’s so much competition from products that didn’t exist 50 years ago.” The report did not isolate hard seltzer’s contribution to declining beer demand or quantify how much it changed barley purchases.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy Home Brew - This all-in-one kit includes everything you need, from fermentation equipment to supplies and ingredients, making it the perfect kit for beer enthusiasts.
- Complete Beer Making Kit - No need for additional large pots, strainers, or brewing equipment. All you need is a Mr. Beer Kit, water and common kitchen items to get started.
- Brews in 30 Minutes - Using our hopped Malt extract, you can brew up a batch of beer in less than 30 minutes. You will have ready to drink beer in 3-4 weeks.
- Includes A Second Refill - This kit comes with a bonus refill so you can get to brewing your second batch right away. Makes a total of 4 gallons.
- DIY Kit Beer Accessory - The Mr. Beer four gallon kit comes with Canadian Blonde and Octoberfest Lager you can create your own unique craft beer.
Nor is every hard seltzer made the same way. Reuters reported that many of the popular brands it named use fermented sugar, vodka, or tequila rather than barley. It also noted that some seltzers and non-alcoholic beers use malt barley. The relevant financial link is that drinks made without beer malt can compete for customers without generating the same barley demand—not that all alternative beverages are barley-free.
Why oversupply can hurt growers even as acreage falls
Demand is only half the market story. Reuters reported that multiple strong barley crops had contributed to oversupply and weak prices. When supply is plentiful relative to buyers’ needs, growers may face weaker pricing even if they have planted fewer acres more recently. The 2024 reporting also described high borrowing and input costs as pressures on farmers at that time; it does not establish that those costs or financing conditions remain the same in 2026.
Rank #2
- MAKE YOUR OWN BEER – Be more than a beer drinker; be a beer maker! This craft beer kit turns beer lovers into beer brewers and gives you all the independence, experience, and fun that comes with brewing your own home beer.
- MUNICH CALLING – Oktoberfest is here, wherever and whenever you want “here” to be. With a light red hue, subtle bitterness, caramel sweetness, and a clean dry finish, you can enjoy this full-bodied, malty beer just like they do in old Bavaria.
- HOME BREW STARTER KIT – Designed to help first-timers and hobbyists alike get the most of their beer experience, this beer maker starter kit teaches you about the art of brewing with our Craft a Brew Guide to Craft Brewing.
- FULL BREWERY KIT – This homemade beer making kit comes with the right supplies to brew beer. Enjoy our beer making kits complete with everything you need to become a master brewer, so hop to it!
- CRAFT A BREW QUALITY – Each beer crafting kit is assembled by hand in Orlando, FL instilled with the core values of providing high-quality ingredients, elegant and effective design, and an environmentally sustainable mindset. Enjoy beer the right way with your own Craft a Brew kit.
The September 11, 2024 Reuters report said U.S. planted barley acreage was down 22% year over year while on-farm stocks were up 51%, based on the then-most-recent crop report. Those are historical figures, not current readings. Farmers quoted in the report described difficult choices: North Dakota farmer Don Nygaard said, “This winter is going to be tight for all of us trying to figure out which payments we can make.” They illustrate the strain reported then, not the circumstances of every grower today.
What do the latest crop and stock figures show?
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) figures provide a later snapshot of overall U.S. barley production and inventories. They describe crop outcomes and stocks; they do not establish why beer demand changed, what caused a price movement, or how much barley was available under malt-grade contracts.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- Large Capacity Brewing: The VEVOR electric brewing system features an 8 gal / 30L kettle can mash up to 5 kg of malt per batch—ideal for home gatherings or small craft batches. Brew diverse beers like lager, IPA, ale, porter, or stout for true brewing freedom
- Craft Brewing Support: The mash and boil device features a high-power design for fast heating and excellent sugar extraction and boiling, supporting quality beer brewing. Homebrewed beer uses pure malt and natural methods, preserving authentic beer flavor
- Easy Operation: Our home brewing equipment has an electronic panel to adjust temperature, and power smoothly. Paired with precise sensors, it controls mashing temperature accurately, extracting more sugars and rich malt flavor
- Premium Materials: The brew kettle is made of 304 stainless steel with 0.5 mm thick walls, sturdy and deformation-resistant. Its smooth, seamless interior is easy to clean and prevents residue buildup for reliable use
- User-Friendly Design: This brewing pot has a glass lid for monitoring wort and a hollow midsection for inserting silicone tubes. A bottom spigot allows the collection of cooled wort. Compact size fits kitchens, garages, basements, or patios
| Measure | Reported figure | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 U.S. barley production | 141 million bushels, down 2% from 144 million in 2024 | National production fell modestly year over year. |
| 2025 planted acreage | 2.30 million acres, a record low and down 3% from 2024 | Less land was planted than in 2024. |
| 2025 average yield | 80.0 bushels per acre, a record high | Higher yield per acre helps explain why production did not fall as much as acreage. |
| Total U.S. barley stocks on March 1, 2026 | 92.905 million bushels, versus 102.909 million on March 1, 2025 | Total inventory was lower year over year; this is not a measure of malt-grade stocks, prices, or contract availability. |
The acreage, production, and yield figures are from USDA NASS’s 2025 crop summary; the inventory comparison is from its March 2026 Grain Stocks report. Lower acreage and lower total stocks do not, by themselves, show that malt-barley buyers are paying more or that growers have regained bargaining power.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the pressure means for farmers and maltsters
For growers, the risk is that weaker demand narrows the number of dependable buyers just as oversupply or costs squeeze returns. Reuters’ 2024 account described farmers weighing whether barley remained a worthwhile crop. Steve Sheffels, a fourth-generation barley and wheat farmer, said, “Hopefully I’ll grow enough crop to cover my costs.” The report also quoted Maltwerks lead maltster Kaj Peterson saying breweries were cutting production and that the pullback was affecting the maltster’s bottom line.
Rank #4
- Best beer Kit for Beginners - Our beer kits are designed for the first-time brewer in mind Step-by-Step instructions, simple ingredients and easy to use brewing equipment.
- Only Takes 30 Minutes of Your Time to Brew - Using our hopped Malt extract you can brew up a batch of beer in less than 30 minutes.
- Includes the Best Ingredients to Get Started - Brewing with Mr. Beer’s Hopped Malt Extracts are perfect for any brewer. It cuts down on time, reduces the risk of contamination, and helps create a more consistent beer every time.
- Comes with Everything You Need - Our beer Kit comes with everything you need to brew your first batch of beer. No need for additional large pots, strainers or brewing equipment. All you need is a Mr. Beer Kit, water and common kitchen items to get started.
- Ready to Drink in 3-4 Weeks - With our ingredients designed by Coopers Brewery, your beer will be done fermenting in 10-14 days and ready to drink 7-14 days later.
Brewers’ purchasing statements are not a substitute for evidence about current barley contracts. Anheuser-Busch InBev told Reuters it purchased “$700 million in the highest quality ingredients from 700+ grower partners each year,” but the company did not answer questions about its specific purchases that year or changing beer-consumption trends, according to the report. That attributed statement does not establish how much barley it bought or what growers were paid.
The later USDA totals show a smaller 2025 crop and lower total stocks in March 2026 than a year earlier, but current beer-consumption trends, malt-barley prices, and contract terms are not established by those statistics. The most defensible conclusion is that beer demand and crop supply both matter; the data cited here do not show that hard seltzer alone caused barley farmers’ financial pressure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brewer's Best American Amber
- Pale Ale malt combined with medium caramel malt creates a rich, copper color
- Contents: Ingredients, Priming Sugar, Grain Bag(s), Bottle Caps, Brewing Procedures
- Manufactured in united states
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
