Forage products market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The forage products market in the CIS displayed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume grew from 321.1 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 353.6 thousand tonnes in 2019, then contracted sharply to 253.7 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 197.4 thousand tonnes in 2021. A partial recovery followed, with the market reaching 271 thousand tonnes in 2022 and stabilizing at 273.8 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, the market dynamics were influenced by factors specific to Russia, a key CIS member. Higher-than-expected crop yields reduced the production cost of succulent feeds. Official statistics reported a 24% increase in haylage harvest, but a 3.9% decline in hay, a 14.2% drop in straw, and a 2.6% decrease in corn silage compared to 2023. Import duties on forage products were also enforced during March 2024, regulating market access and import flows.

The market's structure is characterized by a significant portion of roughage production being used for self-consumption within livestock enterprises, which limits the development of a large-scale commercial segment. Climatic conditions and agrotechnical practices remain fundamental drivers of forage crop yields and overall production efficiency in the region.

Production forage products in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 321.7 thousand tons of forage products, marking an 11.9% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.1%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 17.3% reduction, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 10.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of forage products in CIS was valued at 102.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 20.2% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 36.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 14.0%. The steepest decline was in 2018, at 31.8%, whereas the highest increase was in 2019, at 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports forage products from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Exports of forage products from CIS have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 69 936 tons, surging by 357.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 1 452.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 149.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of forage products from CIS in terms of volume were Latvia, accounting for 47.7% of exports, the Netherlands at 8.6%, and China at 8.3%. Together, these three countries made up 64.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of forage products exported from CIS has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 22 220 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic increase of 314.9% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 1 132.2%, with an annualized rate of 131.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key markets for forage product exports from CIS in value terms were Latvia, with a 42.6% share, Poland at 17.8%, and the Netherlands at 6.9%. This cluster accounted for 67.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports forage products to CIS

Imports in kind, t

The import market for forage products in CIS showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 602 tons and peaked in 2019 at 3 576 tons, representing a 5.9-fold difference. In 2020, imports stood at 1 883 tons, a 47.3% decrease year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 493.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of forage products to CIS in kind were spread across a wide range of markets. Germany led with 6.1% of imports, followed by Poland at 4.6% and Italy at 3.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 13.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports hit their maximum in 2019 at 1 772 thousand US dollars and fell to the lowest point in 2017, with a 3.1-fold swing. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 229 thousand US dollars, a 30.6% decline from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 198.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for forage products to CIS was broad. Germany contributed 24.2% of imports in value terms, Italy 13.3%, and Poland 7.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 45.3% of total imports, with many other nations holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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