Maize flour and cereals market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Western Europe saw its volume decline from 4 042 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 939 thousand tons in 2019, before rising to 4 147 thousand tons in 2020. It then fell again to 3 852 thousand tons in 2021.

In 2022, the market volume dropped to 3 763 thousand tons. This contraction was primarily driven by rising prices for grain products due to global supply chain problems and geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, which increased production costs and dampened demand.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 3 703 thousand tons. The market adapted to ongoing price volatility, while investments in modern production facilities and strengthened consumer demand for gluten-free and organic products helped maintain activity.

Production maize flour and cereals in Western 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

In Western Europe, maize flour and cereals production reached 4 212 K t in 2020, showing a controlled increase of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2019 at 3 986 K t, which represented the largest decline of 4.3% during the period. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production grew by 5.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals production in Western Europe stood at 3 234 M $ US in 2020, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 20.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 27.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production value dropped by 6.7%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Western Europe's exports of maize flour and cereals rebounded in 2020. The region exported 310.1 K t that year, representing an 8.2% improvement compared to 2019. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 286.5 K t, which also marked the largest decline of 3.9% during the period. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (11.3% of exports in kind), Spain (6.3%), and Norway (5.5%) were significant buyers of maize flour and cereals from Western Europe. However, these three markets combined accounted for only 23.1% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 76.9% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's maize flour and cereals exports were valued at 238.1 M $ US, showing strong growth of 22.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 23.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's export markets in value terms remained highly diversified. The United Kingdom (13.4% of exports in value terms), Spain (5.8%), and Norway (3.9%) together accounted for just 23.0% of total export flows. The remaining 77.0% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's imports of maize flour and cereals increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region imported approximately 244.7 K t that year, representing a modest 1.9% year-over-year growth. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 176.7 K t, which also marked the largest decline of 8.9% during the period. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 35.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, overall imports grew by 26.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's suppliers of maize flour and cereals were diverse. Italy (9.4% of imports in kind), Poland (7.6%), and Spain (1.1%) together contributed only 18.2% of total imports in kind. Many other countries held smaller but still notable shares in the import portfolio.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's imports of maize flour and cereals increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 268.4 M $ US. This represented a moderate gain of 10.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 31.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (16.3% of imports in value terms), Poland (5.3%), and Thailand (2.1%) were among the largest suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Western Europe. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 23.7% of total imports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified supplier base.

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

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