Buckwheat market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The buckwheat market in Europe opened the period at 1 130 thousand tonnes in 2018 before declining to 884 thousand tonnes the following year. From 2020 onward, growing consumer interest in healthy and gluten-free foods began to stimulate demand, contributing to a market recovery that reached 1 046 thousand tonnes by 2021.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 1 365 thousand tonnes. This surge was primarily driven by a significant increase in buckwheat cultivation area in Poland, as farmers favored the crop due to its low agronomic requirements and as rising fertilizer and energy costs made alternative crops less attractive.

Market volume then retreated to 1 168 thousand tonnes in 2023. Underlying demand continued to be supported by a sustained consumer trend towards organic products and health-conscious eating, which characterized the latter years of the period.

Production buckwheat in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of buckwheat, 2017-2020

World map of production of buckwheat, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, buckwheat production in Europe rebounded. In 2020, Europe produced 1 019 K t of buckwheat, marking an 11.3% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 53.3%, with an average annual decline of 22.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 916 K t, while the steepest drop occurred in 2018 with a 47.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports buckwheat from Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, buckwheat exports from Europe experienced a downturn. In 2020, exports totaled 47 475 t, showing a sharp decline of 41.1% compared to 2019. Despite this recent drop, exports increased by 20% over the period from 2017 to 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.3%. The peak export volume was reached in 2019 at 80 590 t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 65.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

The export structure for buckwheat in kind remained highly fragmented between 2017 and 2020. China accounted for 13.5% of exports, Japan for 7.1%, and Kazakhstan for 2.9%, with these three countries together representing just 23.5% of total flows. No single country achieved a dominant share during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Buckwheat exports from Europe in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Europe exported buckwheat worth 69 817 K $ US, which is 48.6% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 51.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 44 384 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, buckwheat exports from Europe in value terms were distributed across numerous countries. China held an 8.9% share, Japan 7.6%, and Kazakhstan 1.5%, with these three partners collectively accounting for only 18.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports buckwheat to Europe

Imports in kind, t

Europe imported 57 752 t of buckwheat in 2020, representing a significant increase of 19.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.6%, with an average annual rate of 2.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 48 540 t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, China, and Canada emerged as the main sources for buckwheat imports in kind to Europe. Kazakhstan accounted for 5.2% of imports, China for 1.7%, and Canada for 0.5%, with these three countries together making up 7.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, buckwheat imports to Europe in value terms reached 70 170 K $ US, reflecting a notable uptick of 46.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 47 937 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, China, and Canada formed the key group of partners for buckwheat imports to Europe in value terms. Kazakhstan represented 3.7% of imports, China 3.1%, and Canada 0.6%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 7.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020