Maize flour and cereals market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Germany experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2020. After reaching 940 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume fell to 801 thousand tons in 2019. This decline was primarily caused by extreme weather conditions that reduced soil moisture below 30%, negatively impacting maize cultivation and harvest yields. A recovery to 929 thousand tons followed in 2020.

A sharp contraction to 499 thousand tons occurred in 2021. This drop was driven by an increased diversion of grain for energy production, specifically ethanol manufacturing, which was formally accounted for in data from the 2019/20 period. The shift reduced the raw material availability for food processing, with the Federal Monopoly Administration for Spirits (BfB) collecting this usage data through the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

The market showed a partial rebound to 584 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight decline to 565 thousand tons in 2023. Throughout the period, ongoing concentration and specialization processes in the grain sector characterized the industry structure, while state institutions like the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) played a key role in market monitoring.

Production maize flour and cereals in Germany

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

After two years of decline, maize flour and cereals production in Germany rebounded. In 2020, Germany produced 1 008 K t of maize flour and cereals, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 20.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 834 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 15.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of maize flour and cereals in Germany reached 513.7 M $ US, showing a substantial year-over-year increase of 19.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 9.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 430.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.5%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, maize flour and cereals exports from Germany amounted to 170.2 K t, reflecting a strong year-over-year increase of 24.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 31.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (31.8% of exports in kind), Norway (13.6% of exports in kind), and France (9.1% of exports in kind) were the main destinations for maize flour and cereals exports from Germany, together accounting for 54.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Maize flour and cereals exports from Germany increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 86 755 K $ US, representing a year-over-year gain of 23.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 41%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of maize flour and cereals from Germany were characterized by a broad spread across markets. The Netherlands (22.3% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (11.7% of exports in value terms), and France (9.2% of exports in value terms) together accounted for 43.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, maize flour and cereals imports into Germany declined. In 2020, Germany imported 92.3 K t of maize flour and cereals, constituting a solid year-over-year decrease of 11.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.3%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 103.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (36.7% of imports in kind), Poland (24.2% of imports in kind), and Italy (16.6% of imports in kind) together absorbed 77.5% of total imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Germany, making them the primary sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imported maize flour and cereals volumes in Germany reached 50 817 K $ US, indicating a modest year-over-year increase of 2.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 10.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (31.2% of imports in value terms), Italy (25.8% of imports in value terms), and Poland (13.2% of imports in value terms) formed the core of imports in value terms, together accounting for 70.1% of total flows.

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

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