Maize flour and cereals market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the maize flour and cereals market in the Netherlands grew to 824.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, partly influenced by a drought in Western Europe that increased demand against constrained supply. Production remained relatively stable, while imports rose to meet consumption. Over the next two years, the market volume saw a modest contraction, stabilizing around 808 thousand tonnes without major disruptive events reported.

A significant downturn began in 2021, with market volume falling to 704 thousand tonnes. This decline was driven by the tightening of national fertilizer and nitrate policy, which affected farming practices, alongside the early impacts of geopolitical tensions related to the war in Ukraine on grain prices and availability. The conflict intensified in 2022, causing market volatility, raw material shortages, and further volume reduction to 648.5 thousand tonnes.

A recovery to 696.8 thousand tonnes occurred in 2023. During this period, new EU organic regulations and updated bread labeling rules, effective from 2022, began shaping the market structure by increasing transparency and reinforcing consumer interest in sustainable and certified products.

Production maize flour and cereals in the Netherlands

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

Maize flour and cereals production in the Netherlands declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 561.6 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 5.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 609.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals production in the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 512.2 million US dollars, showing a solid 18.3% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 10.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 347.1 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 25.0%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports maize flour and cereals from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest export volume was observed in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.7 times. In 2021, the Netherlands exported 46.3 thousand tonnes of maize flour and cereals, representing a 4.7% decrease from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 57.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 71.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Ireland, and Germany were the main buyers of maize flour and cereals from the Netherlands, accounting for 23.4%, 19.9%, and 19.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 63.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals from the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 42 183 thousand US dollars, indicating an 18.9% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 62.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the three principal markets for maize flour and cereals exports from the Netherlands in value terms, together accounting for 50.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Maize flour and cereals imports into the Netherlands declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country imported a total of value_last_year thousand tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 28.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 20.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 272.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany and Belgium were the key sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 81.2% of total flows. Other partners played a much smaller role individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, maize flour and cereals imports into the Netherlands declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 83 952 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 7.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 7.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 90 683 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.1%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and France were the largest markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.2% of total flows.

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

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