Rye market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek rye market contracted by approximately 20% between 2018 and 2023, declining from 20 582 tons to 16 566 tons. This reduction aligns with rye's position as a secondary cereal in the country, where it occupies a niche compared to more dominant grains. Its cultivation is primarily for human consumption, with minimal application in animal feed due to taste preferences, which has capped overall demand.

Market volume fell in 2019 and 2020, then recovered slightly in 2021 to 18 445 tons before decreasing again in 2022 and 2023. The grain's nutritional profile and suitability for organic production have supported a stable but limited consumer base, while its resilience to cold weather may have helped maintain production in certain areas despite the overall downward trend.

Production rye in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

Greece's rye production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 17,580 tonnes of rye, marking a 1.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 32.8%, with an average annual decline of 12.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's rye production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3,677 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.4% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 39.4%, with an average annual decline of 15.4%.

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

Exports rye from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 82 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 241 tonnes, creating a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of rye from Greece stood at 162 tonnes, indicating a sharp contraction of 32.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 43.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 192.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania remained the main market for Greece's rye exports in volume terms, accounting for 85.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 20.2 thousand US dollars and reached their maximum in 2019 at 57.1 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.8-fold difference. In 2020, the value of rye leaving Greece totalled 33.9 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a dramatic drop of 40.7% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 183.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania concentrated most of Greece's rye exports in value terms, taking 71.4% of total flows. The remaining share was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports rye to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's volume of rye imports has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 177 tonnes, reflecting an abrupt fall of 88.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 91.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 56.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany and Bulgaria were the dominant sources for Greece's rye imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 93.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was split among smaller 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

Greece's rye imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 68.9 thousand US dollars, which is 81.2% lower compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 83.9%, with an average annual decline of 45.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Bulgaria acted as the dominant sources for Greece's rye imports in value terms, jointly taking 89.8% of total flows. The remaining share was allocated to other markets.

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

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