Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Bolivia fluctuated between 466 900 t and 522 000 t. The country's chronic production shortfall, covering only about 30% of demand, maintained high reliance on imports from Argentina. Low wheat prices and limited technological support constrained domestic output, while the milling and baking sector faced tax pressure and turned to exporting to neighboring countries.

In 2021, increased wheat production reduced the need for imports, stabilizing the market volume near 523 400 t. The situation shifted dramatically in 2022 when drought and the Russia-Ukraine conflict drove down wheat harvests and raised international prices. Flour imports collapsed to 1 300 t, causing the total market volume to drop to 322 700 t despite higher domestic processing. The government intervened by guaranteeing flour supplies and importing over 16 000 t, and new food safety rules for imported flours were introduced via Resolution RA 130/2023.

A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume reaching 341 100 t as imports rebounded to 55 400 t. Domestic cereal production continued to face challenges from production crises and foreign currency scarcity. State-owned Emapa supported the market by delivering more than 700 000 quintals of subsidized flour to bakers, and plans were announced to expand wheat planting to 150 000 t by 2025.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Bolivia

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

In 2020, Bolivia produced 151.5 thousand tons of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, marking a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 148.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 35.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Bolivia

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the sole destination for Bolivia's exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Italy dominated Bolivia's export structure in value terms, representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Bolivia

Imports in kind, K t

Bolivia's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 370.5 thousand tons. This represented a 16.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 16.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 276.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the dominant and nearly exclusive source for Bolivia's imports in kind of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, holding a 99.0% share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bolivia's import value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 127.8 million US dollars. This reflected a strong 14.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 26.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 97.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 3.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina was the almost exclusive supplier of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Bolivia in value terms, accounting for 98.4% of total imports.

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

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