Maize flour and cereals market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The Serbian maize flour and cereals market from 2018 to 2023 was shaped by the enduring dominance of state-owned agricultural enterprises, which controlled most production and maintained stable cultivation practices. This institutional framework provided a consistent supply base, though market volume exhibited considerable volatility over the period.

Key drivers of volume movements included climatic variability and technological improvements. Unfavorable weather conditions in 2020 contributed to a yield decline, reducing market volume to 163.9 thousand tons. The introduction of enhanced maize hybrids and breeding programs facilitated a recovery in 2021, lifting volume to 191.8 thousand tons. However, global supply chain disruptions and rising input costs in 2022 reversed these gains, pulling volume down to 160.1 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market volume had fallen further to 136.9 thousand tons, extending the contraction phase without significant structural changes or new regulatory interventions influencing the sector.

Production maize flour and cereals in Serbia

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

Serbia's production of maize flour and cereals has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 189.2 K t, which represents a 12.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 18.5%, averaging an annual decline of 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Serbia's maize flour and cereals production has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 50 578 K $ US, down 7.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 17.1%, with an average annual rate of decline of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 61 444 K $ US. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with an 11.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

Serbia's exports of maize flour and cereals have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 26 896 t, showing a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia were consistently the main destinations for Serbia's maize flour and cereals exports by volume. Montenegro accounted for 35.1% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 22.0%, and North Macedonia for 19.6%. Together, these three countries represented 76.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Serbia's maize flour and cereals exports were valued at 7 190 K $ US, an 8.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.1% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for the largest share of Serbia's maize flour and cereals exports by value. Montenegro represented 33.0% of export value, North Macedonia 21.0%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 20.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 74.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Serbia's imports of maize flour and cereals have increased for the second year running. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1 583 t, marking a substantial 22.6% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 54.4%, averaging an annual increase of 15.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 948 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 7.5% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 36.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Slovenia, Austria, and Romania were the primary sources for Serbia's maize flour and cereals imports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 50.5% of imports, Austria for 22.9%, and Romania for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 80.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's imports of maize flour and cereals have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached approximately 720 K $ US, showing a significant 10.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value surged by 88.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Slovenia, Austria, and Russia formed the key group of partners for Serbia's maize flour and cereals imports by value. Slovenia accounted for 37.8% of import value, Austria for 21.3%, and Russia for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 69.9% of total import flows.

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

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