Oats market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek oat market started at 86 291 tonnes in 2018, supported by the crop's low production costs and a consumer trend toward healthier foods. Law 4557/2018 on anti-money laundering introduced compliance rules that could influence product circulation. Market volume grew to 89 588 tonnes in 2019.

A slight contraction to 86 761 tonnes occurred in 2020 amid evolving consumer dietary preferences, particularly among younger generations. The market then rebounded strongly to 97 909 tonnes in 2021, driven by post-pandemic shifts in consumption behavior and the increased use of artificial intelligence to analyze food trends.

A sharp decline to 71 012 tonnes followed in 2022, with a partial recovery to 75 786 tonnes in 2023. By 2024, the sector was being shaped by legislative tightening of environmental and agricultural regulations, as well as investments in new production technologies and digital transformation within the agri-food industry.

Production oats in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked as the world's 30th largest producer of oats.

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Greece's oats production declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 77.6 thousand tonnes. This represented a year-over-year decrease of 2.2%. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 29.3%, with an average annual decline rate of 10.9%.

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

Exports oats from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Greece's oats exports increased slightly in 2020, totaling 67 tonnes—a modest 4.3% rise compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped significantly by 74.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 36.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 64 tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 60.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus and Bulgaria were the dominant destinations for Greece's oats exports in volume terms, together accounting for 87.3% of total shipments. Other markets contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of Greece's oats exports rebounded in 2020, reaching 34 thousand US dollars—a 25.6% increase from 2019. Despite this recovery, exports declined by 49.6% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decrease of 20.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 37.5%.

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

In value terms, Cyprus and Bulgaria formed the leading markets for Greece's oats exports from 2017 to 2020, jointly representing 90.9% of total export value. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports oats to Greece

Imports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5 675 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 10 362 tonnes, representing a 1.8-fold fluctuation. In 2020, oats imports into Greece amounted to 9 278 tonnes, marking a 10.5% decrease from 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 43.6% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with an 82.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Bulgaria together accounted for 90.3% of Greece's oats imports by volume. The remaining imports were thinly spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 248 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, showing a 1.8-fold variation. In 2020, Greece's oats imports totaled 2 071 thousand US dollars, down 9.3% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 45.7% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with an 83.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Bulgaria played the leading roles in Greece's oats imports by value, together capturing 90.0% of total import value. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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