Uncooked pasta market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The uncooked pasta market in Eastern Europe saw consistent growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 1 589 thousand tonnes to 2 121 thousand tonnes. This expansion was fueled by busier urban lifestyles driving demand for convenient ready-made pasta dishes and a sustained consumer shift towards higher-quality durum wheat products. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated demand in 2020 as households increased pantry stocking during lockdowns.

After the peak in 2020, market volume contracted to 1 826 thousand tonnes in 2021 before partially recovering to 1 992 thousand tonnes in 2022 and settling at 1 878 thousand tonnes in 2023. This period was marked by heightened competition and price volatility due to soaring costs for flour, grain, and energy. Geopolitical tensions and sanctions introduced additional uncertainty, affecting supply chains and producer margins, even as new product segments like functional pasta gained traction.

In early 2024, the industry grappled with a ban on durum wheat exports until May and continued cost pressures from energy, transport, and labor. Despite these challenges, pasta exports grew by 31% to $150 million, and leading producers such as Makfa and Marven Food Central maintained their market positions. Retailer private-label offerings expanded, reflecting evolving distribution channels and consumer demand for affordable, convenient options.

Production uncooked pasta in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has seen its production of uncooked pasta grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 958 013 tonnes, marking a 9.2% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of uncooked pasta production in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has also increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 2 966 million US dollars, reflecting a significant year-over-year rise of 26.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 40%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports uncooked pasta from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of uncooked pasta from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, have risen for the third straight year. In 2020, exports reached 85.7 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial increase of 12.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 37.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in terms of volume was highly diversified. Kazakhstan accounted for 4.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 2.2%, and Uzbekistan for 1.9%, together making up just 8.7% of total flows. The remaining 91.3% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of uncooked pasta exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports stood at 129.8 million US dollars, indicating a sharp rise of 29.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 54.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the country breakdown of export value was scattered, with no single partner dominating. The United Kingdom contributed 4.2% of exports, Kazakhstan 4.1%, and the Netherlands 3.0%, together accounting for only 11.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports uncooked pasta to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of uncooked pasta into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 248.5 thousand tonnes, representing a robust gain of 13.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the leading supplier of uncooked pasta to Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, accounting for 47.6% of imports by volume. Germany followed with 5.1%, and Turkey with 4.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 57.3% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of uncooked pasta into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports were valued at 320.8 million US dollars, showing a strong uptick of 13.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 11.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 273.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy remained the key partner for imports by value, accounting for 48.2% of total flows. Germany contributed 10.9%, and China 5.5%, with these three countries together making up 64.5% of imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020