Maize flour and cereals market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian maize flour and cereals market decreased from 916.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 833.6 thousand tons in 2020. This contraction was driven by lower corn harvests, which reduced the production of corn grits and limited market supply.

From 2021, market volume recovered, reaching 920 thousand tons by 2023. A production boom in industrial corn processing, supported by a 43% increase in corn harvests over the preceding decade, boosted corn grits output by 29.7% in 2022 alone and improved raw material availability for millers.

After peaking in 2023, the market stabilized at 914.6 thousand tons in 2024. Production data for 2025 indicates a further decrease, continuing the recent volatility.

Production maize flour and cereals in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Russia's production of maize flour and cereals has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 828.7 thousand tons, marking a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Russia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Russia's exports of maize flour and cereals reached 21 084 tons, showing a 10.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 50%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 3.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, with a jump of 40.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus were the top buyers of Russian maize flour and cereals, accounting for 33.7%, 11.1%, and 9.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 54.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's exports of maize flour and cereals in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 8 110 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 11.6% improvement over 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 96.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Azerbaijan remained the leading destinations for Russia's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms, with shares of 30.5%, 16.8%, and 8.2%, respectively. Combined, they represented 55.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports maize flour and cereals to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 12 780 tons and peaked in 2021 at 52 833 tons, showing a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 52 833 tons, a sharp increase of 199.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 61.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, maize flour and cereals imports to Russia were almost exclusively supplied by Belarus, which accounted for 92.6% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their minimum in 2019 at 3 948 thousand US dollars and their maximum in 2021 at 11 548 thousand US dollars, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Russia imported 11 548 thousand US dollars worth of maize flour and cereals, which is 141.3% more than the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 37.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, Belarus dominated Russia's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms, holding 72.8% of the total, while the remaining flows were distributed among various smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021