Rye market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The rye market in Belarus grew strongly from 535 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 053 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was underpinned by active breeding programs from state scientific institutions, leading to the introduction of new domestic varieties and F1 hybrids that boosted crop yields. The launch of these improved seeds, such as the Lobel 103 and Galinka varieties, contributed to higher production volumes. Furthermore, around 10% of the market consisted of imported F1 hybrid seeds from major international players like KWS and Saaten-Union, which also supported productivity gains despite a broader agricultural shift towards more profitable crops like rapeseed and corn.

After 2020, market volume declined to 750 thousand tonnes by 2022. International sanctions and political instability following the 2020 political crisis began to impact the agricultural sector, affecting investments and exports. This external pressure, combined with the ongoing reallocation of sown areas to marginal crops, limited rye production. The market showed a slight recovery to 782 thousand tonnes in 2023, aided by the continued roll-out of new domestic varieties, including the Belgi variety added to the State Register in 2022, which helped stabilize output. Throughout this period, a strong policy focus on import substitution and domestic consumption shaped the market structure.

Production rye in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belarus ranked 4th globally in rye production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

Rye production in Belarus increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 051 K t of rye, which represents a 39.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 56.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 503 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 25.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 50.4% rise.

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

Exports rye from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belarus's rye exports amounted to 817 t, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6 186.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 297.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of rye exports in kind was highly concentrated, with Ukraine alone accounting for 96.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, rye exports from Belarus totaled 121 K $ US, reflecting minimal year-over-year variation. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 2 090.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 179.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine and Russia formed a duopoly in rye exports in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports rye to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in rye imports during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 864 t and peaked in 2018 at 32 944 t, representing an 11.5-fold difference. In 2020, Belarus imported 3 446 t of rye, which was 20.3% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 91.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 614.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the primary source for rye imports to Belarus, accounting for 80.2% of total imports in kind, with the remaining volume distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes in rye import values, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, differing by 3.3 times. In 2020, rye imports to Belarus totaled 4 287 K $ US, representing a 51.0% increase from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 592 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 49.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 232.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine (35.1% of imports in value terms), Russia (29.6% of imports in value terms), and France (15.2% of imports in value terms) formed the main group of sources for rye imports to Belarus, together accounting for 79.9% of total flows.

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

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