Cereal groats and meal market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cereal groats and meal in Estonia peaked in 2019 at 17 705 t before declining over the next two years to 15 008 t in 2021. A gradual recovery followed, with volume reaching 15 941 t by 2024. In value terms, the market showed significant volatility, surging to 6.8 million USD in 2022 and peaking at 7.6 million USD in 2023 before adjusting downward to 6.8 million USD in 2024.

The sharp increase in market value in 2022 coincided with regional trends in Central and Eastern Europe, where price fluctuations and evolving demand drivers played a role. Estonian consumers, influenced by broader patterns, showed growing interest in health-conscious and convenient cereal products, including ready-to-eat and plant-based options. This shift towards more nutritious groats with clean labels and functional benefits supported higher average prices and contributed to the overall market value growth, even as physical volume expanded only modestly that year.

Following the 2022 surge, market volume continued its slow recovery to 15 404 t in 2023 and 15 941 t in 2024. The market value, however, retreated from its 2023 peak to 6.8 million USD in 2024, indicating a normalization of prices after the earlier spike.

Production cereal groats and meal in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's production of cereal groats and meal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 4 460 thousand US dollars, down 2.7% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 13.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 369 thousand US dollars, which saw a 4.3% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2020, with a 14.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Estonia's production of cereal groats and meal has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, 14 381 tonnes were produced, marking an 8.7% decline compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 15.2%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 5.3%. The peak was in 2019 with 17 384 tonnes, which represented a 2.5% increase. The sharpest decline was in 2020, with a 9.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cereal groats and meal from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of cereal groats and meal have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 221.8 tonnes, down 4.7% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 14.1%, averaging 4.5% per year. The highest volume was in 2019 at 250.8 tonnes, which saw a 29.0% increase. The largest decrease was in 2020, with a 7.2% fall.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia and Finland were the dominant markets for Estonia's exports in kind, together accounting for 83.4% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's exports of cereal groats and meal in value terms showed a moderate gain in 2021, reaching 92.2 thousand US dollars, up 5.9% from the previous year. Over the period 2018-2021, exports increased by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 103.3 thousand US dollars, which saw a 33.1% rise. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 15.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania were the main buyers of cereal groats and meal from Estonia in value terms. Latvia accounted for 39.9% of exports, Finland for 33.0%, and Lithuania for 12.7%, together comprising 85.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021

Imports cereal groats and meal to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of cereal groats and meal have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 848.7 tonnes, up 20.1% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 25.3%, averaging 7.8% per year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 571.6 tonnes, which saw a 15.6% decline. The largest increase was in 2020, with a 23.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland formed the core group of markets for Estonia's imports in kind. Lithuania accounted for 35.6% of imports, Latvia for 27.2%, and Finland for 14.5%, together representing 77.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia's imports of cereal groats and meal in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 550.3 thousand US dollars, up 25.2% from the previous year. Over the period 2018-2021, imports increased by 46.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 335.3 thousand US dollars, which saw a 10.5% decline. The largest increase was in 2020, with a 31.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018-2021, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland continued to be the top suppliers of cereal groats and meal to Estonia in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 34.3% of imports, Latvia for 21.2%, and Finland for 16.4%, jointly taking 71.8% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021