Oats market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The oat market in Southern Europe opened the period with a volume of 2 180 thousand tons in 2018, supported by growing consumer health awareness and a trend toward plant-based diets across the region. Market volume then fell to 1 514 thousand tons in 2019 before rebounding sharply to 2 053 thousand tons in 2020. This recovery was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased demand for convenient and healthy at-home breakfast options like oats.

Following the 2020 peak, the market entered a phase of consecutive annual declines. Volume dropped to 1 893 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 1 546 thousand tons in 2022. Regulatory changes in the European Union that raised compliance costs for producers contributed to tighter supply conditions. The downward trend continued in 2023, with market volume falling to 1 203 thousand tons, partly due to restrictive EU regulations that increased operational costs and affected technology adoption, even as product innovation continued and new players entered the market.

In 2024, the market saw the launch of new oat milk varieties by companies like Oatly and greater integration of technologies such as AI in manufacturing, reflecting ongoing industry evolution, though full-year market volume data is not yet available.

Production oats in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Europe produced 1,403 K t of oats, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then surged to 2,128 K t in 2018, representing a significant 48.1% increase and the highest level recorded. However, 2019 saw a sharp decline of 34.1%, before rebounding to 1,951 K t in 2020, which was 39.1% higher than the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.7%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of oats production in Southern Europe was lower, but it increased by 15.7% to reach 569.8 M $ US in 2020. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 810.9 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 66.0% rise. However, 2019 experienced a notable decline of 39.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the total value of production rose by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Exports oats from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, oat exports from Southern Europe decreased by 27.8%, but they recovered in 2020 to 51.4 K t, showing a 28.0% year-over-year increase. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 55.7 K t, which was a 51.0% jump from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 11.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden, Algeria, and France were key buyers of oats from Southern Europe, accounting for 14.1%, 10.4%, and 10.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share of 34.6% indicates that no single country dominated the export market, reflecting a diversified buyer base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of oat exports from Southern Europe fell by 33.5%, but it rose by 6.4% in 2020 to reach 15,020 K $ US. The peak value was in 2018 at 21,217 K $ US, marking a significant 69.3% increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 19.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of oat exports from Southern Europe was spread across multiple countries. Sweden led with 13.8% of the total value, followed by France at 10.0% and Algeria at 9.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 33.1% of exports, highlighting a broad and varied partner network.

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

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

Imports oats to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Oat imports into Southern Europe have grown for two consecutive years. In 2018, imports hit a low of 107.5 K t, declining by 4.8%. They then surged by 40.9% in 2019 and increased slightly by 1.6% in 2020 to reach 153.9 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 36.3%, with an annualized rate of 10.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, oat imports in kind to Southern Europe were fragmented across many countries. France was the largest source at 19.1%, followed by Finland at 13.6% and the United Kingdom at 9.8%. Together, these three accounted for only 42.5% of total imports, with no single supplier holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's oat imports in value terms have increased for two years in a row. In 2018, the value dropped slightly by 0.2% to 32,236 K $ US, the lowest point. It then jumped by 39.9% in 2019 and rose by 2.2% in 2020 to 46,110 K $ US. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of oat imports into Southern Europe was dispersed among various countries. France contributed 19.5%, Finland 13.9%, and Lithuania 9.9%, totaling 43.3% of imports. The remaining 56.7% was distributed among a wide range of other partners, underscoring a diverse import structure.

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

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