Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Chile expanded to 1 518 thousand tons in 2019, up from 1 396 thousand tons the previous year. This growth was followed by a slight contraction to 1 495 thousand tons in 2020, influenced by COVID-19 logistics disruptions that affected flour availability. The market stabilized around 1 494 thousand tons in 2021 as low planting intention due to international price uncertainty and the Russia-Ukraine war limited production expansion.

A sharp decline occurred in 2022, with market volume dropping to 1 380 thousand tons. This was driven by rising fertilizer prices and supply chain complications from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which pushed up international wheat costs. By 2023, the market steadied at the same level, supported by state-owned Cotrisa's intervention in the southern region to purchase wheat at a guaranteed price, countering domestic oversupply from lower global demand.

Throughout the period, structural shifts affected the industry. Consumer preferences began moving toward corn and oat flours from 2020 onward, reducing per capita wheat flour consumption. Regulatory changes also played a role, including the implementation of a special wheat quality regulation under Law 20.656 and the mandatory fortification of flour with vitamin D.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Chile's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals reached 1 480 thousand tons in 2021, showing only a slight change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 506 thousand tons, which represented an 8.9% increase from the previous year. In 2020, production saw its largest decline of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Chile

Exports in kind, t

Chile's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined for the third year in a row in 2021, with export volumes falling to 1 690 tons. This marked a sharp year-over-year reduction of 30.9%. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 64.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 29.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Peru accounted for 75.0% of Chile's total exports in volume terms. The remaining export volume was distributed among numerous other countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, totaling 1 415 thousand US dollars. This represented a 7.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 44.7%, with an average annual decline of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Peru and Venezuela were the primary markets for Chile's exports in value terms, together making up 92.0% of total export flows. Other destinations accounted for comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Chile

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Chile's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms stood at 16 076 tons, reflecting a 12.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 7.8%, with an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 588 tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 18 372 tons, which saw a 17.9% increase from the prior year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, the main suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Chile in volume terms were the Netherlands (40.3% of imports), Argentina (38.5% of imports), and Turkey (6.2% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 85.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 10 940 thousand US dollars, up 1.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 21.2%, with an average annual increase of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 733 thousand US dollars, which saw a 3.3% decline from the prior year. In 2020, imports experienced their largest increase of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Chile's imports in value terms were Argentina (42.3% of imports), the Netherlands (33.0% of imports), and the United States (8.8% of imports). Collectively, these three countries represented 84.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021