Maize flour and cereals market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Southern Europe began the period at 3.2 million t in 2018, supported by growing consumer interest in gluten-free and whole grain options. However, volume declined over the next two years, falling to 2.7 million t by 2020. This contraction was initially driven in 2019 by raw material price fluctuations due to adverse weather and tight supply chains, which increased costs. The downward trend was extended by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted global logistics, transportation, and consumption patterns.

Market pressure continued into 2021, as ongoing pandemic-related supply chain issues and geopolitical tensions limited availability. A recovery followed in 2022, with volume rising to 2.9 million t, as sustained consumer demand for organic and gluten-free products and the post-pandemic normalization outweighed the direct impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on energy and input costs. The market contracted again in 2023 to 2.7 million t, primarily due to increased prices for key raw materials like durum wheat, which raised production costs. This occurred despite continued growth in specific segments, such as organic and whole grain flours, notably in Italy where purchase frequency for these varieties increased.

Production maize flour and cereals in Southern 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

Southern Europe's production of maize flour and cereals has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 663 thousand tons, marking a 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 038 thousand tons, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 5.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of maize flour and cereals in Southern Europe reached 1 891 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 765 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 108 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 16.3%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 12.8%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, maize flour and cereals exports from Southern Europe declined in 2020. The export volume was recorded at 230.3 thousand tons, showing a 7.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 248.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize flour and cereals exports from Southern Europe were distributed across numerous countries. France accounted for 10.5% of exports in kind, Germany for 5.2%, and Cameroon for 4.5%, with these three countries together making up only 20.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize flour and cereals exports from Southern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 163.6 million US dollars, representing a modest gain of 6.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United States played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of maize flour and cereals from Southern Europe. France accounted for 12.0% of exports in value terms, Germany for 7.7%, and the United States for 6.9%, with their combined share reaching just 26.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, maize flour and cereals imports into Southern Europe totaled 294.9 thousand tons, indicating a sharp increase of 46.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 201.2 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 348.3 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize flour and cereals imports into Southern Europe came from a wide range of markets. France accounted for 23.8% of imports in kind, Hungary for 12.4%, and Germany for 5.1%, with these three countries together making up only 41.3% of total imports. The remaining 58.7% was distributed among many smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Southern Europe amounted to 148.8 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 29.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 115.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.0%.

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

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. France accounted for 16.7% of imports in value terms, Germany for 9.6%, and the Netherlands for 7.1%, with these three countries together forming just 33.4% of total import flows. The remaining 66.6% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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