Oats market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, drought caused a shortage of oats in Germany, pushing prices to a five-year high and increasing reliance on imports to meet demand, which was further fueled by the booming popularity of oat milk. By 2020, the market expanded sharply as oat cultivation area grew by nearly 23% and milling processing increased to satisfy sustained demand from health-conscious consumers and the trend toward plant-based alternatives.

A record harvest in 2020/21 supported high market volume in 2021, despite suboptimal growing conditions the following season. From 2022 onward, market volume declined due to supply tightness, driven by the limited availability of mill-quality oats in Europe and the anticipation of new EU maximum levels for T2HT2 residues set to take effect in July 2024. Throughout, demand for oat-based products, especially oat milk, remained strong, spurring activity from major companies and growth in the organic segment.

Production oats in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany was one of the world's top producers of oats from 2017 to 2020, ranking 12th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 721.9 thousand tons of oats, marking a sharp increase of 39.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 519.3 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 10.1% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, oats production in Germany rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 245.9 million US dollars, representing a steep rise of 36.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 179.6 million US dollars, and the largest decline of 5.1% also took place in 2019.

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

Exports oats from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of oats from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 41.0 thousand tons, showing a gradual fall of 4.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.7%, with a CAGR of 4.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 44.5 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 23.4% also occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (32.6% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (26.6% of exports in kind), and Denmark (11.5% of exports in kind) consistently held the leading positions in Germany's export structure by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, the value of oats exports from Germany declined. In 2020, exports reached 14.0 million US dollars, constituting a reduction of 5.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 15.9%, with a CAGR of 5.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14.8 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 21.0% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (31.3% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (18.7% of exports in value terms), and Denmark (17.8% of exports in value terms) were the principal destinations for Germany's oats exports by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oats to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, oats deliveries to Germany amounted to 612.6 thousand tons, showing an abrupt rise of 33.9% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 457.6 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 16.6% also occurring in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Finland (37.0% of imports in kind), Sweden (19.9% of imports in kind), and Poland (12.0% of imports in kind) remained the key partners for Germany's oats imports by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, oats imports to Germany came to 150.2 million US dollars, up by 23.1% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Finland (34.9% of imports in value terms), Sweden (17.3% of imports in value terms), and Poland (11.4% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for Germany's oats imports by value. Together, these three countries represented 63.7% of total import flows.

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

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