Rye market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian rye market volume grew from 188.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 212.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. This trend reversed in 2021 when the market contracted sharply to 141.1 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily caused by a reduction in the rye planting area to a low of 32 769 hectares due to falling prices and wet growing conditions, accompanied by a 4% drop in rye milling activity as consumer and processor preference continued to shift toward wheat.

Market volume recovered to 173.4 thousand tonnes in 2022 and stabilized at 170.1 thousand tonnes in 2023. The rebound was driven by a 9.7% larger harvest in 2022, achieved through area expansion and good yields. In 2023, planted area increased a further 11.9% to 38 400 hectares and yields rose 4.1%, resulting in a 16.2% higher harvest. However, rye milling continued to decline, reflecting sustained changes in demand. The market also adjusted to global factors, including the Ukraine crisis, which affected grain prices and trade flows.

Production rye in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Austria ranked as the 13th largest producer of rye during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

Austria's rye production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 217.9 thousand tonnes of rye, marking a modest improvement of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 68.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Austria's rye output was valued at 91 725 thousand US dollars, representing an advance of 12.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 24.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 98 116 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 33.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports rye from Austria

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Austria's rye exports declined. In 2020, export volume totalled 12 178 tonnes, showing a measured reduction of 6.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 73.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.2%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 975 tonnes, with the largest increase of 49.8% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland were the leading destinations for Austria's rye exports in kind. Germany accounted for 46.5% of exports, Italy for 32.6%, and Switzerland for 8.0%, collectively representing 87.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year gain, Austria's rye exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 125 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual loss of 3.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 28.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 320 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 20.7% occurring in 2018.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland were the main destinations for Austria's rye exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 58.0% of exports, Italy for 17.1%, and Switzerland for 8.4%, together absorbing 83.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rye to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of rye to Austria declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Austria imported 7 147 tonnes of rye, down by 52.0% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 80.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Germany, and Hungary were the main suppliers of rye to Austria in kind. Czechia accounted for 24.0% of imports, Germany for 23.3%, and Hungary for 20.6%, together comprising 67.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of rye imports to Austria declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 1 934 thousand US dollars, equivalent to an abrupt decrease of 56.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 75.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -37.4%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Hungary were the main sources of rye imports to Austria in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.7% of imports, Czechia for 22.1%, and Hungary for 19.8%, collectively representing 71.6% of total import value.

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

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