Buckwheat market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Russian buckwheat market volume fluctuated, dropping in 2019 due to continued reduction in sown areas for buckwheat, which decreased production. However, in 2020, gross buckwheat harvests rose by 13.5%, leading to higher production of buckwheat groats and a recovery of market volume to 833 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic affected logistics and demand but did not prevent the growth, which was also stimulated by higher prices for producers.

In 2021, the market faced record-low carryover stocks due to active exports in previous seasons, which supported production at 919 thousand tons. Then in 2022, market volume surged to 1 130 thousand tons following a record buckwheat harvest and the introduction of an export ban aimed at boosting domestic supply. By 2023, the high 2022 harvest led to a 30% drop in retail prices and a rise in exports to 176 thousand tons, reducing the domestic market volume to 904 thousand tons despite a 13% expansion in sown area.

Production buckwheat in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Russia was the leading producer of buckwheat from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of buckwheat, 2017-2020

World map of production of buckwheat, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Russia's buckwheat production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 892 000 tonnes, marking a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 41.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 16.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 786 000 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 38.9% decrease.

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

Exports buckwheat from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's buckwheat exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 59 157 tonnes, showing a slight reduction of 7.8% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.9%, averaging an annual increase of 7.1%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 74 637 tonnes, while the largest decline happened in 2019 at 14.0%. The most significant increase was also in 2018, with a jump of 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for Russia's buckwheat exports by volume were China, accounting for 25.7% of exports, Ukraine with 16.6%, and Lithuania at 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 57.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's buckwheat exports in value terms rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 28 959 000 US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 54.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 84.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Russia's buckwheat exports by value were China, with a 22.6% share, Japan at 19.4%, and Ukraine with 15.4%. This group collectively accounted for 57.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports buckwheat to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's buckwheat imports totaled 10 tonnes, a significant decline of 93.6% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 164 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 146.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Russia's buckwheat imports by volume were Armenia, contributing 35.3% of imports, Kazakhstan with 30.8%, and China at 16.9%. Together, these three countries made up 83.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a fivefold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia imported approximately 13 000 US dollars worth of buckwheat, down by 80.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 64 000 US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a gain of 129.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Armenia, with 31.7% of imports by value, China at 25.4%, and Kazakhstan with 18.7%, stood out as the main markets for Russia's buckwheat imports. Together, they represented 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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