Cereal germ market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 197.8 thousand tons in 2018, the Italian cereal germ market volume declined sharply the following year and remained volatile through 2022, dipping to a low of 123.7 thousand tons in 2021. A rebound began in 2022, leading to stabilization around 143.7 thousand tons in 2023, before a substantial expansion to 182.6 thousand tons in 2024.

Market conditions in 2023 were shaped by differentiated weather patterns and sowing choices, which created highly heterogeneous harvests for corn and wheat, affecting raw material availability and costs. The subsequent year saw adverse climatic conditions reduce national wheat production, but this was accompanied by lower wheat prices. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for premium and functional breakfast cereals, including multi-grain flakes with high protein and fiber content, increased demand for cereal germ as a key ingredient.

Production cereal germ in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's cereal germ output was valued at 61 990 K $ US, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 2.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 67 763 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 40.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 89.6 K t of cereal germ, marking a substantial 17.1% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 2.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was in 2018 with 108.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 23.9%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 76.5 K t, when production fell by 29.4%.

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

Exports cereal germ from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's cereal germ exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 337 t—a sharp 27.7% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 61.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.3%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 797 t, which also saw a decline of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland were the main destinations for Italy's cereal germ exports in kind. Spain accounted for 41.3% of exports, Switzerland for 37.7%, and Poland for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 87.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's cereal germ exports in value terms amounted to 1 176 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 44.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.3%, with an annualized rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 815 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland consistently remained the top destinations for Italy's cereal germ exports in value terms. Spain held 26.1% of exports, Switzerland 21.8%, and Poland 21.6%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 69.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cereal germ to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's cereal germ imports reached 77 216 t, showing a gradual 9.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with an annualized decline of 1.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 90 131 t, which also saw the largest increase of 10.7%. The lowest was in 2019 at 70 302 t, when imports fell by 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Austria, and Spain were the primary sources for Italy's cereal germ imports in kind. Hungary accounted for 35.0% of imports, Austria for 30.9%, and Spain for 15.1%. Together, these three countries made up 80.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's cereal germ imports in value terms stood at 27 217 K $ US, up by 23.8% from a year earlier. Despite this, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15%, with an annualized decline of 5.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 33 046 K $ US, while the lowest point was in 2019 at 21 980 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 33.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Austria, Hungary, and Spain formed the core group of markets for Italy's cereal germ imports in value terms. Austria accounted for 33.2% of imports, Hungary for 31.7%, and Spain for 14.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 79.8% of total import flows.

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

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