Barley is the second-most produced and supplied grain crop after wheat. An important agricultural crop and one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history (the plant began to be cultivated about 10,000 years ago).

Barley grain is widely used for food, industrial and feed purposes, including in the brewing industry and to produce pearlbarley and barley groats. Barley is one of the most valuable concentrated animal feeds, as it contains high-grade protein and is rich in starch. In Russia, up to 70% of barley is used for feed purposes.