Maize flour and cereals market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the maize flour and cereals market in Eastern Europe was supported by the activity of large producers and investments in the milling industry. However, in 2019, market volume declined, although investment activity in corn processing remained high, laying the groundwork for future growth. In 2020, despite economic difficulties, production stabilized, partly due to record shipments of wheat flour for export, which stimulated investment in the flour and cereal industry.

In 2021, market volume increased significantly, driven by the recovery of consumer demand, an increase in intercity bus trips, as well as moderate price dynamics and population growth. However, in 2022, the physical volume of the market contracted, although in monetary terms the decline was less pronounced due to growing demand for more expensive and high-quality cereal products, as well as convenient packaging. The launch of new flour mills, such as 'Basis Plus' in Krasnodar Krai, and the planning of other enterprises indicated continued investment activity. In 2023, despite a further decrease in physical volume, market value grew, reflecting a shift towards higher-value products and an expansion of the range, including new types of cereals and flour.

Production maize flour and cereals in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), maize flour and cereals production reached 5 069 K t in 2020, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 446 K t, which represented a 21.5% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 2 197 M $ US in 2020, showing a modest 0.7% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 2 265 M $ US, marking a 14.3% increase. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 with a 3.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 175.1 K t of maize flour and cereals in 2020, representing a 12.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with 13.0% growth, while 2019 saw the most significant decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner portfolio for maize flour and cereals from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was quite diverse. Germany accounted for 12.1% of exports in kind, Belgium for 3.8%, and Italy for 3.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 19.2% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across many markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported maize flour and cereals worth 75 906 K $ US, showing a solid 12.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 with a 1.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure for maize flour and cereals from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was spread across numerous countries. Germany represented 12.5% of exports in value terms, Belgium 4.9%, and Italy 3.8%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for only 21.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of growth, maize flour and cereals imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020 to 96.8 K t, down 7.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 23.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 105.1 K t, which represented a substantial 28.0% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner portfolio for maize flour and cereals to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed considerable diversity. Belgium accounted for 3.4% of imports in kind, Germany for 3.0%, and Italy for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 9.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported approximately 80 000 K $ US worth of maize flour and cereals in 2020, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 71 804 K $ US, representing a 3.5% decline. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with 11.4% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based import structure for maize flour and cereals to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 6.8% of imports in value terms, Italy for 6.1%, and Belgium for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 81.6% distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020