Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined from 61.3 million tonnes in 2018 to 58.9 million tonnes in 2021. This contraction was partly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced significant market volatility and supply chain disruptions in 2020, contributing to a period of stabilization at a lower volume.

Market volume began to recover from 2022 onward, reaching 59.9 million tonnes in 2023. The growth was primarily driven by geopolitical factors, notably the war in Ukraine, which disrupted grain supplies from the Black Sea region and increased demand for European output. Furthermore, the major merger between the InVivo cooperative union and the Soufflet group in 2022 created one of the largest wheat market players, enhancing industry consolidation and operational scale.

Concurrently, the market saw the continued expansion of organic production, with the area under organic cereal cultivation in France doubling between 2017 and 2022. Product innovation, such as the launch of flour with a QR code for full traceability by Grands Moulins de Paris, alongside a recovery in consumption within the organic milling segment, provided additional momentum to the market's dynamics.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Europe

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

Europe's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Europe produced 59 921 thousand tonnes, representing a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 380 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 25.6% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 39.6%, with an average annual rate of decrease of 15.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's export partner portfolio for wheat and meslin flour and cereals was quite broad. China accounted for 3.8% of exports in kind, Angola for 3.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 8.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals exported from Europe declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 771 million US dollars, down by 2.3% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 813 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Europe's exports in value terms was highly diversified. Angola and China each accounted for 2.9% of exports, while the United States represented 1.3%. Combined, these three partners made up only 7.1% of total flows, with the remaining 92.9% distributed among numerous smaller countries.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1 608 thousand tonnes, showing a decline of 6.1% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan and Europe, not elsewhere specified, played central roles in imports in kind, together accounting for 1.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals amounted to 1 398 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 7.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 17.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 5.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 10.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Europe's imports in value terms were Europe, not elsewhere specified, with 0.9% of imports, Switzerland with 0.7%, and Kazakhstan with 0.7%. Together, these three accounted for 2.3% of total import flows.

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

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