Current EU rye supplies are ample. The expansion of the EU into Eastern Europe is expected to result in much larger EU rye production potential. Although rye is heavily used as a feed grain, it has a major use in whole-grain products or in bread across northern Europe. EU food aid to Russia tends to include rye. Major export markets also include S. Korea, Japan, and China.
Rye contains substantial amounts of soluble fibre.
Clean rye as a feed tends to be used primarily in mature hog rations. Rye as a cover or nurse crop may also have some benefits in reducing pesticide use and in biological pest control. US rye production has been dropping in recent years. Planting reached 1.34 million acres, but harvestings in 2000 were about 302,000 acres. Canada's rye exports are generally split between the US and Japan, with small amounts to South Korea.