Cereal germ market in India

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, India's cereal germ market saw a gradual contraction, with production falling from 2.35 million tonnes to 2.25 million tonnes. The decline accelerated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting processing and distribution. Throughout this period, government procurement by the Food Corporation of India under the National Food Security Act provided market stability and managed domestic supplies.

After stabilizing in 2021, the market rebounded strongly, with production reaching a record 2.56 million tonnes by 2023. This growth was driven by the government's ban on wheat exports from May 2022, which increased domestic grain availability for processing. Simultaneously, a sustained shift in consumer preference toward packaged and processed cereal products like flakes, bread, and biscuits boosted demand for cereal germ as a key ingredient.

Production cereal germ in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was one of the world's top producers of cereal germ from 2017 to 2020, ranking third globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

India's cereal germ production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 2 249 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 3.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.1%.

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

Exports cereal germ from India

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, India's cereal germ exports increased in 2020, reaching 690 tonnes—a gradual 6.5% rise year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 65%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 29.5%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 647 tonnes, while the sharpest fall occurred in 2018 with a 48.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates were the key destinations for India's cereal germ exports, accounting for 81.0% of total flows. Kenya led with 46.3% of exports, followed by the United States at 21.1% and the United Arab Emirates at 13.5%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, India's cereal germ exports totaled 826 thousand US dollars, a 3.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 39.6%, with an annualized decline of 15.5%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 38.8%, while the only increase occurred in 2019 with a 2.6% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates were the principal markets for India's cereal germ exports in value terms, together representing 75.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cereal germ to India

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. India's cereal germ imports varied significantly, with volumes differing by 3 537 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 828 tonnes, a sharp 258.2% increase year-over-year. The minimum was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 80.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 98,644.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and Kenya dominated India's cereal germ imports in volume, together accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports varied widely, with a 346-fold gap between the lowest in 2018 and the highest in 2020. In 2020, India imported approximately 303 thousand US dollars of cereal germ, representing an abrupt 232.0% gain year-over-year. The minimum value was 1 thousand US dollars in 2018, with the largest decline that year at 81.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 10,320.8%.

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

Over 2017-2020, virtually all of India's cereal germ imports in value terms were associated with Indonesia, which accounted for 92.1% of total flows.

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

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