Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Asian market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals grew from 247.5 million tonnes to 269.8 million tonnes. This expansion was initially fueled by the rapid growth of the packaged wheat flour segment in India, which saw a 19% annual increase, breaking traditional local grinding habits and capturing more organized market share. Concurrently, changing food habits and urbanization boosted demand for value-added wheat-based products like pasta, noodles, and snacks, further driving overall consumption.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened demand for staple foods, including flour for home cooking, which supported market growth despite some production disruptions. Subsequent challenges, such as heat waves in key wheat-producing states in 2021, threatened yields, but government interventions through Minimum Support Price mechanisms and procurement policies helped stabilize supply. The market also adapted to health-conscious trends with the introduction of fortified and whole wheat flour varieties, creating new product segments that sustained consumer interest.

In the later years, the market continued its upward trajectory, reaching 269.8 million tonnes by 2023. This was supported by the ongoing diversification into fortified and specialty flour products and robust domestic consumption, even as wheat flour exports from India increased significantly. Government measures to address price volatility and supply constraints for millers played a key role in maintaining market volume during periods of rising input costs.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Asia's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 258.0 million tonnes, representing a 2.6% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 249.5 million tonnes, when production fell by 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Asia reached 477.5 billion US dollars, up 5.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 484.7 billion US dollars, following an 8.6% increase that year. However, in 2019, the value dropped by 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes fell to 3 852 thousand tonnes, marking a 28.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 31.5%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Asia was fairly balanced, with no single country dominating. Somalia accounted for 2.8% of exports in kind, Angola for 2.5%, and Benin for 1.2%. Together, these three countries represented 6.5% of total flows, while the remaining 93.5% was spread across many other nations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Asia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals export value declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 2 332 million US dollars, down 2.8% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 400 million US dollars, when exports increased by 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms remained fragmented. Somalia contributed 2.7% of exports in value terms, Angola 2.6%, and Benin 1.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 6.5% of total flows, with no single partner holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 4 702 thousand tonnes, up 0.7% from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 577 thousand tonnes, when imports fell sharply by 38.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw a significant increase of 30.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Asia were distributed across numerous countries. Ukraine and Australia each accounted for 3.4% of imports in kind, while Russia contributed 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 8.6% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Asia's wheat and meslin flour and cereals import value increased in 2020. Imports reached 2 267 million US dollars, reflecting a 0.7% year-on-year rise. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 12.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 253 million US dollars, when imports dropped by 10.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was scattered across many countries. Ukraine accounted for 3.5% of imports in value terms, Australia for 2.5%, and Egypt for 1.8%. Together, these three partners represented only 7.7% of total flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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