Uncooked pasta market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The reduction of VAT on pasta from 24% to 13% in 2018 provided a lasting stimulus to consumer demand. Major players like Barilla Hellas and Melissa Kikizas invested in production facilities in Thebes and Volos, strengthening domestic capacity. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, household stockpiling of pantry staples and a marked shift toward whole grain pasta varieties drove market volume up to 122,3 thousand tons.

A contraction to 108,8 thousand tons followed in 2021, as the continued downturn in tourism and the foodservice sector outweighed stable retail sales. The market rebounded sharply to 122,3 thousand tons in 2022, fueled by a reported 30% surge in sales volume and dramatic revenue growth from leading manufacturers, who expanded their output and exports.

After a slight dip to 115,1 thousand tons in 2023, the market stabilized at 115,2 thousand tons in 2024. Innovation remained a key feature, with MAKVEL launching Greece's first low glycemic index pasta in 2024, reflecting ongoing efforts to cater to evolving dietary preferences.

Production uncooked pasta in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Greece's output of uncooked pasta was valued at 173.1 million US dollars, marking a substantial 13.8% improvement compared to 2019. The minimum value during this period was recorded in 2019 at 152.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 6.3%. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece ranked 10th globally in terms of production volume for uncooked pasta.

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Uncooked pasta production in Greece increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 184.4 thousand tonnes, showing a measured rise of 9.4% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 163.0 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 0.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's uncooked pasta export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 67 933 tonnes, representing a robust uptick of 10.6% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 54 341 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 1.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Greece's uncooked pasta exports in kind was diverse. Italy accounted for 23.1% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.4%, and Albania for 9.7%, together forming 43.3% of total flows. A substantial 56.7% was supplied to many other countries, indicating a wide distribution.

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

Foreign uncooked pasta supplies from Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece exported 58 683 thousand US dollars of uncooked pasta, which is 19.4% stronger compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy was the largest buyer of uncooked pasta from Greece in value terms, accounting for 23.5% of exports, followed by Bulgaria at 8.6% and Albania at 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 40.5% of total exports in value terms, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports uncooked pasta to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece registered uncooked pasta deliveries of 5 886 tonnes, constituting a sharp reduction of 30.1% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 422 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 16.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the leading supplier of uncooked pasta to Greece, accounting for 88.4% of total imports in kind. The rest was spread across many other countries.

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

After a two-year uptick, uncooked pasta deliveries to Greece declined. In 2020, Greece imported approximately 9 565 thousand US dollars of uncooked pasta, representing a strong decrease of 21.2% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 143 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 8.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the main source for uncooked pasta imports to Greece, taking 88.8% of total imports in value terms. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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