Maize flour and cereals market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for maize flour and cereals in Italy contracted in volume from 1.0 million tonnes in 2018 to 604 thousand tonnes in 2021. This decline was initially driven by delays in maize and soybean plantings in 2019, which led to expectations of lower harvests. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further impacted demand and market stability, contributing to the continued drop. In 2021, rising prices for grains and vegetable oils, influenced by export measures from key supplying countries and increased Chinese demand, likely constrained consumption volumes.

A recovery began in 2022, with the market volume growing to 626.8 thousand tonnes and reaching 645.3 thousand tonnes in 2023. The Russia-Ukraine conflict caused a sharp increase in wheat, maize, and flour prices, which spurred greater interest in local and alternative products. Concurrently, consumer demand grew for organic flour, Italian-origin products, and functional or specialized flour blends, expanding the product range and attracting new consumption. The reactivation of the National Commission for Durum Wheat in 2023 provided additional support to domestic producers, aiding market stabilization.

Recent years have seen market dynamics shaped by evolving consumer preferences towards health and sustainability. The introduction of fortified flour mixes, pre-mixed blends, and sustainable packaging innovations responded to these trends. While climatic factors like northern rains and southern droughts in Italy affected crop quality and quantity, the underlying growth in demand for differentiated products supported the market's upward trajectory in value, which rose to $661.7 million in 2023.

Production maize flour and cereals in Italy

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

Italy's maize flour and cereals production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 742.5 thousand tons, marking a 4.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 961.9 thousand tons, which saw a 6.9% increase. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with production falling by 19.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's maize flour and cereals production value also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 582.0 million US dollars, down 4.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value declined by 7%, translating to an average annual decrease of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 780.1 million US dollars, which represented a 24.7% increase. The most significant decline happened in 2019, with a 21.8% drop.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of maize flour and cereals grew for the second year running. In 2020, exports reached 116.5 thousand tons, showing a modest 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 103.7 thousand tons, which saw a 15.2% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy exported maize flour and cereals to a wide range of markets. The top destinations were France, accounting for 15.9% of exports in volume, Germany at 12.2%, and Israel at 9.7%. Together, these three countries made up 37.9% of total exports, while numerous smaller markets contributed the remaining 62.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's maize flour and cereals export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 91 285 thousand US dollars, up 5.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 7.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 84 080 thousand US dollars, which experienced a 1.1% decline. The highest increase was in 2019, with a 6.5% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy traded maize flour and cereals with many countries. Even the largest markets—France, Germany, and the United States—collectively represented only 39.8% of total export value, highlighting the diverse nature of Italy's export destinations.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of maize flour and cereals into Italy showed significant volatility in recent years. The lowest point was in 2019 at 46.1 thousand tons, while imports peaked in 2018 at 164.2 thousand tons, resulting in a 3.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports reached 46.3 thousand tons, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 71.9% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 131.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary was the leading source for Italy's maize flour and cereals imports, accounting for 42.6% of the volume. Slovenia followed with 19.3%, and Austria contributed 11.9%. Together, these three countries made up 73.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms totaled 26 353 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a substantial 18.2% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 22 295 thousand US dollars, which saw a 48.9% drop. The peak was in 2018 at 43 670 thousand US dollars, marking a 59.8% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary was the top source for Italy's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms, representing 23.9%. Germany accounted for 16.0%, and Slovenia made up 15.2%. Combined, these three countries contributed 55.0% of total import value.

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

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