Maize flour and cereals market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European maize flour and cereals market volume declined from 13 820 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 11 873 thousand tonnes in 2023, interrupted by a rebound to 13 679 thousand tonnes in 2021. The initial drop was driven by rising maize prices in 2019 due to poor European harvests and higher oil costs, which dampened demand. The market faced further pressure in 2022 when prices peaked following the war in Ukraine, coupled with a noted reduction in bread and flour consumption in France, leading to a significant contraction.

Regulatory developments shaped the market environment, including the EU's stricter mycotoxin residue limits for maize (Regulation 2023/915) and new traceability rules for cereals implemented in 2022, requiring millers to invest in compliance. Consumer trends toward gluten-free and organic products gained momentum, with French millers launching dedicated gluten-free maize flour lines and the progressive adoption of bio-labeling, which supported demand during the COVID-19 pandemic as home baking increased.

Structural changes involved the entry of new private players into maize processing in France and ongoing industry consolidation. Investments by agricultural cooperatives in storage and trading capacity were followed by national support plans aiming to modernize processing facilities. From 2024, high EU tariffs on Russian grain redirected import sources, while climate extremes like the 2022-2023 drought affected European maize yields, influencing supply conditions.

Production maize flour and cereals in Europe

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

Europe's production of maize flour and cereals declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 13 369 K t, marking a 0.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 889 K t, which represented an 11.7% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's exports of maize flour and cereals totaled 603.7 K t, down 13.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 8.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 701.2 K t, which was an 11.4% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's exports of maize flour and cereals were distributed across multiple countries without a clear leader. The United States accounted for 2.5% of exports, Norway for 2.3%, and Cameroon for 1.9%. Together, these three countries made up just 6.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Europe's maize flour and cereals exports rose to 524.1 million US dollars, up 14.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of Europe's maize flour and cereals exports was spread relatively evenly among trading partners. The United States represented 3.8% of export value, Norway 1.8%, and Cameroon 1.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 7.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of maize flour and cereals declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 497.7 K t, a slight decrease of 1.1% from the prior year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 560.9 K t, which marked an 11.5% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 10.3%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Europe reached 602.6 million US dollars, a strong increase of 11.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 25.6%, with an average annual rate of 7.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States and Thailand were the top suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Europe in value terms, together accounting for 2.7% of total imports.

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

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