Maize flour and cereals market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Northern Europe saw considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Market volume rose from 1.4 million tons in 2018 to 1.7 million tons in 2019, then dipped to 1.5 million tons in 2020. A rebound followed in 2021, lifting the market to 1.7 million tons again, before a slight easing to 1.7 million tons in 2022. The most pronounced shift occurred in 2023, when volume contracted sharply to 1.3 million tons.

This volume trajectory was mirrored in production, which peaked at 1.6 million tons in 2022 before falling to 1.2 million tons in 2023. Imports remained relatively stable, ranging between 140,000 and 168,000 tons, while exports grew gradually from 39,000 to 62,000 tons over the period. In value terms, the market expanded from $1.3 billion in 2018 to $1.7 billion in 2022, then moderated to $1.6 billion in 2023.

Production maize flour and cereals in Northern 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

Northern Europe's production of maize flour and cereals saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output peaked at 1,579 K t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 1,425 K t, representing a controlled decrease of 9.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 32.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 27.2%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Maize flour and cereals exports from Northern Europe have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 49.4 K t, up 6.6% from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.5%, with a compound annual decline of 15.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 38.8 K t, which marked the largest decline of 52.4% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with exports growing by 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's maize flour and cereals exports were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United States accounted for 12.3% of exports in kind, France for 2.3%, and Belgium for 2.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 16.6% of total export flows, indicating a diverse distribution across many markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 46.5 M $ US, showing a notable gain of 12.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37.6 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 21.6% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for Northern Europe's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 10.6% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands for 4.7%, and France for 3.6%. Together, these three countries represented 19.0% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 81.0%.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's imports of maize flour and cereals in kind remained virtually unchanged in 2020, totaling 152.8 K t compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 166.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 32.2% that year. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline, falling by 8.6%.

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

An analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Germany accounted for 25.8% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 12.4%, and Poland for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 48.1% of total flows, with the remaining 51.9% coming from a wide range of other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms showed a small gain in 2020, reaching 105.4 M $ US, up 2.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 42.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 39.2%, while 2019 saw no change, with a decline of 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy were the largest but not dominant suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Northern Europe in value terms. Germany accounted for 21.9% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 13.3%, and Italy for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 44.6% of total imports, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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