Maize flour and cereals market in the United Kingdom, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for maize flour and cereals saw its volume rise from 1.14 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 1.55 million tonnes in 2021. This expansion was supported by growing consumer demand for gluten-free and fortified food options, a trend that increased overall consumption.

Market volume then fell to 1.45 million tonnes in 2022, pressured by high global corn prices and supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical events, which raised production costs and limited availability. The mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal flour with folic acid, enacted in October 2022, also imposed new compliance requirements on industry participants. The decline continued into 2023, with the market dropping to 1.15 million tonnes.

Production maize flour and cereals in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom ranked 27th globally in the production of maize flour and cereals.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 1 455 thousand tonnes of maize flour and cereals, marking a significant 14.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 39%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 31.9%, while the largest decline was in 2020, at 7.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The United Kingdom's maize flour and cereals production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 353 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.1% gain compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 57.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from the United Kingdom increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 17.1 thousand tonnes, a 9.6% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 28.1%, with an average annual rate of 8.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 1.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 18.1%.

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

The export market for maize flour and cereals in kind was broad from 2018 to 2021. Ireland accounted for 18.0% of exports in kind, France for 13.1%, and Belgium for 12.1%, together making up 43.3% of total flows. The remaining 56.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, maize flour and cereals exports from the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, exports amounted to 15 897 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 44.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 15 942 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 33.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, exports of maize flour and cereals in value terms from the United Kingdom were spread across a wide range of markets. Ireland accounted for 18.9% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands for 11.5%, and the United States for 10.5%, together comprising 40.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to the United Kingdom increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 108.4 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a 12.1% gain compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 93.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 11.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany accounted for 19.8% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 18.2%, and Lithuania for 12.1%, together comprising 50.0% of total flows, representing the largest share of imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, maize flour and cereals shipments to the United Kingdom from abroad amounted to 69 381 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 12.4% increase relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 14%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.8%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. Germany accounted for 18.1% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 15.6%, and Italy for 13.5%, together making up 47.2% of total flows, with no single partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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

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