Maize flour and cereals market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, production and market volume for maize flour and cereals in Ukraine remained stable at approximately 1.6 million tonnes annually. This stability was supported by growing consumer interest in gluten-free and healthy food options, with maize flour being a key ingredient. State-owned enterprises, such as the Vinnytsia Bread Products Plant No. 2, continued to play a significant role in the market. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused some supply chain disruptions, but the market demonstrated resilience with no major impact on overall output.

A sharp increase occurred in 2021, with production rising to 2.2 million tonnes and market volume reaching 2.2 million tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by a sustained expansion of flour and cereal exports to international markets, coupled with active development of organic and gluten-free product lines by manufacturers to meet both domestic and foreign demand.

The market contracted significantly from 2022 onwards due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which severely disrupted logistics, supply chains, and production capacity. Output fell to 1.2 million tonnes in 2022 and further to 956 thousand tonnes in 2023. Despite the challenging conditions, demand for gluten-free maize-based products, particularly in baby food and dietary sectors, provided some underlying support to the market during this period.

Production maize flour and cereals Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Ukraine ranked as the 24th largest producer of maize flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ukraine produced 1 600 K t of maize flour and cereals, showing no significant change from the previous year. Production increased by 52.4% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 15.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 600 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 0.0% change, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 52.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ukraine's maize flour and cereals production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 533.6 M $ US, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 61.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 542.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 64.1%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Ukraine exported 27 370 t of maize flour and cereals, which represents a 36.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 20 066 t, and the largest decline occurred in that same year with a 13.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Ukraine's maize flour and cereals exports in kind were Egypt (21.1% of exports), Belarus (19.5% of exports), and Moldova (18.1% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 58.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ukraine's maize flour and cereals exports stood at 9 128 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 35.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 31%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 719 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in that year with a 14.6% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Ukraine's maize flour and cereals exports in value terms were Egypt, Costa Rica, and Belarus. Together, they accounted for 54.6% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ukraine's maize flour and cereals imports stood at 9 773 t, reflecting a significant reduction of 21.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 58.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 899 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 66.6% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 58.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine's imports in kind of maize flour and cereals were heavily concentrated on Belarus, which accounted for 89.0% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The highest imports were recorded in 2019, while the lowest were in 2018, reflecting a 2.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Ukraine's maize flour and cereals imports were valued at 2 479 K $ US, which is 27.8% lower year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 303 K $ US, and the maximum value was in 2019 at 3 435 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 61.6% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 163.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Belarus was the dominant destination for Ukraine's imports in value terms of maize flour and cereals, accounting for 81.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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