Barley originated from either Ethiopia or south west Asia, and was collected from wild plants as early as 8000 BC. It was being cultivated in Egypt by 5000 BC, and over most of Europe by 2000 BC.

Barley is a major cereal in Britain with an annual crop of over seven million tonnes. This is used for animal feed or for malting, little being used in human consumption. Malting is an important process in beer and malt whiskey production.