Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Belarus expanded from 429 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 459 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was driven by state support for agricultural producers through subsidies and price regulation measures, which bolstered domestic production even as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics and supply chains.

Between 2021 and 2022, the market contracted to 450 thousand tons. Tighter price controls on agricultural products likely restrained output, while a six-month ban on grain exports—introduced to ensure domestic food security—sharply reduced overseas sales. Geopolitical sanctions and adverse weather conditions further pressured production and trade during this period.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 451 thousand tons. Continued government price regulation and state purchases of grain for national needs helped maintain domestic production and secure raw material distribution, offsetting the impact of global price fluctuations and trade flow changes.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

After a two-year decline, Belarus's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 444.8 thousand tons, marking a significant 11.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 400.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 4.8% occurring that same year.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 551 tons and peaked in 2017, showing a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus exported 14 436 tons of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, a substantial 217.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 78.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine were the dominant destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 89.6% of total flows, while the remaining share went to other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports bottomed in 2019 at 1 037 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 4.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Belarus exported 3 024 thousand US dollars worth of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, representing a 191.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline of 72.3% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and Ukraine jointly absorbed 89.4% of the total export value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Belarus, with the rest distributed across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus imported 28 756 tons of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, a 46.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 53 387 tons, with the largest increase of 72.4% occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main destination for imports in kind, accounting for 87.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold change between these years. In 2020, the volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Belarus amounted to 8 244 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 47.0% contraction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 548 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 104.6% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant direction for imports in value terms, with a share of 85.6% of total flows, and the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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