Rye market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the rye market volume in Northern America expanded considerably, rising from 305.8 thousand tons to 663.4 thousand tons. This period of growth established a significantly larger domestic market for rye.

After a contraction to 512.1 thousand tons in 2021, the market surged to 807.6 thousand tons in 2022. This sharp increase was primarily fueled by a 15% volume growth in the US rye whiskey market, driven by craft cocktail trends and premium spirit demand, which raised consumption for distillation. Concurrently, the launch of innovative products like Danone's Alpo Totally Nordic Rye plant-based milk alternative introduced new consumption segments.

The market volume then declined to 446.6 thousand tons in 2023, indicating a period of adjustment and volatility following the previous year's peak.

Production rye in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rye, 2017-2020

World map of production of rye, 2017-2020

Rye production in Northern America has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 780.7 K t, marking a sharp 29.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 450.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 25.1%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 33.9% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Rye production in Northern America has increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 269.1 M $ US, representing a 4.5% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 171.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.3%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 50.4% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rye from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and climbed to a maximum in 2018, showing a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, rye exports from Northern America amounted to 119.9 K t, marking a substantial 24.3% gain compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 146.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 34.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with an 84.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the top buyer of rye from Northern America, accounting for 0.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, rye shipments from Northern America totaled 41 313 K $ US, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 55 471 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 25.8% decrease, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 98.7% surge.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Japan and the United Kingdom held the top positions in the export structure by value, jointly accounting for 1.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports rye to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Rye imports into Northern America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2.5 K t, showing a sharp 55.2% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 223.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Italy, Germany, and Kenya—together absorbed 52.1% of total rye imports in kind to Northern America.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.4-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Northern America imported a total of 1 128 K $ US of rye, corresponding to a steep 243.3% rise over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 329 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 21.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany (21.5% of imports in value terms), Italy (18.9% of imports in value terms), and Kenya (1.4% of imports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for rye imports into Northern America, jointly representing 41.8% of total flows.

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

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