Cereal groats and meal market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish cereal groats and meal market grew sharply in 2022, reaching 651.5 thousand tons from 410.9 thousand tons in 2021. This surge was primarily driven by the direct impact of the war in Ukraine, which disrupted global supply chains and increased import needs, alongside the implementation of a royal decree mandating healthier school meals that boosted demand for cereal-based products.

Market volume then contracted to 605.1 thousand tons in 2023 as adverse weather conditions led to a 12% drop in domestic cereal production, with the ongoing effects of the Ukraine conflict keeping costs elevated. The decline continued into 2024, with volume falling to 508.1 thousand tons amid volatile harvest prospects and increased attention to trade policies aimed at mitigating price risks.

Throughout the period, the EU's Common Agricultural Policy provided subsidies that supported farmer viability, while regulatory changes such as the 2019 bread quality decree and new 2022 rules for organic production and food labeling shaped product standards. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected supply chains, and growing consumer preference for healthy, convenient foods sustained underlying demand.

Production cereal groats and meal in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of cereal groats and meal in Spain.

Exports cereal groats and meal from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's cross-border shipments of cereal groats and meal reached 153.3 K t, showing a 1.4% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 27.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 156.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 29.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports of cereal groats and meal in kind were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant partner. France accounted for 24.8% of exports, Mali for 11.8%, and Portugal for 11.6%, with these three countries together representing just 48.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain exported cereal groats and meal worth 64 738 K $ US, a 14.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 37.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 7.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports of cereal groats and meal in value terms were widely dispersed among partner countries. France held 28.3% of exports, Mali 11.3%, and Cameroon 9.4%, with these three countries together making up only 49.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cereal groats and meal to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Spain's import volume of cereal groats and meal increased in 2020, reaching 56.1 K t, which was 22.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.5%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 45.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 28.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France and Portugal were the key partners for Spain's imports of cereal groats and meal in kind, together accounting for 83.1% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's imports of cereal groats and meal amounted to 17 030 K $ US, marking a robust 15.5% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 743 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 20 524 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Portugal consistently led in Spain's imports of cereal groats and meal in value terms. France accounted for 54.2% of imports, Germany for 18.8%, and Portugal for 10.3%, with these three countries jointly representing 83.3% of total flows.

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

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