Cereal germ market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US cereal germ market experienced a significant contraction in 2019, with its total volume dropping by over 1 million tonnes to 2.3 million tonnes from the previous year's 3.4 million tonnes. The market remained at this lower level through the subsequent period, stabilizing around 2.1-2.3 million tonnes with minimal annual fluctuations. Imports and exports remained relatively stable and small in scale compared to the domestic market size throughout this time.

By 2024, the market environment was being shaped by clear consumer and regulatory trends. Demand from US consumers was increasingly focused on healthier, high-protein, and clean-label cereal products, prompting major manufacturers like WK Kellogg Co and General Mills to launch new protein-enriched brands. Concurrently, regulatory agencies were updating key rules, with the FDA revising guidance for 'healthy' labeling to better account for sugar content and the USDA issuing updated requirements for whole grains and added sugars in child nutrition programs, both influencing product formulation and labeling practices for cereal-based goods.

Production cereal germ in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The United States ranked second globally in cereal germ production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 2 319 thousand tons of cereal germ, a 1.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production fell by 30.7%, averaging an annual decline of 11.5%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 2 291 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 3 389 thousand tons. The sharpest drop was in 2019, down 32.4%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018, up 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cereal germ from the United States

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, U.S. cereal germ exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 2 995 tons, a sharp year-on-year decrease of 42.4%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 5 199 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 54.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the dominant partner for U.S. cereal germ exports in volume, accounting for 86.7% of total flows, while other markets held relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, U.S. cereal germ exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 057 thousand U.S. dollars, a substantial drop of 24.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 6.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.1%. The peak value was in 2019 at 4 029 thousand U.S. dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the primary buyer of U.S. cereal germ in value terms, taking 80.8% of total exports, with other partners holding relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports cereal germ to the United States

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, the United States imported approximately 27 813 tons of cereal germ, a strong decrease of 22.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 15.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 35 935 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, Canada played a dominant role in U.S. cereal germ imports by volume, consistently accounting for 99.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

U.S. cereal germ imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11 930 thousand U.S. dollars, marking a significant year-on-year uptick of 13.2%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 4.8%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 10 364 thousand U.S. dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of U.S. cereal germ imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Canada alone accounting for 98.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020