Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in India

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in India trended upward, with volume rising from 75 352 thousand tons to 78 791 thousand tons despite a brief stabilization in 2019. This expansion was fueled by the rapid growth of packaged wheat flour, driven by urbanization, higher disposable incomes, and a shift toward convenient foods among younger consumers. The organized packaged segment grew at a 20% annual rate, and product diversification into wheat-based items like bread, pasta, and snacks broadened market segments. Simultaneously, research institutions released fortified wheat varieties with enhanced protein, iron, and zinc content, supporting product quality and meeting evolving consumer preferences for nutrition.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market experienced a temporary stabilization in 2021 before accelerating growth, reaching 86 311 thousand tons by 2023. Government policies played a key role: the strengthened minimum support price mechanism provided stability for farmers, while the 2022 export ban redirected wheat to the domestic market amid global supply concerns from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the entry of new exporters and investments in production capacity, supported by Kandla port's export infrastructure, fueled expansion. Regulatory focus on quality and labeling standards continued to shape the market.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was one of the world's top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from 2017 to 2020, ranking second globally by production volume.

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

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

India's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 75 400 K t, with the largest drop of 4.4% occurring in 2018. By 2020, production rose to 79 052 K t, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of India's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production reached 44 277 M $ US in 2020, up 8.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 40 882 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from India

Exports in kind, K t

India's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 263.5 K t, a sharp rise of 27.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 55.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were the main destinations for India's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 52.9% of total exports, with the United States at 25.0%, the United Arab Emirates at 19.2%, and Qatar at 8.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

India's export value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 147.6 M $ US, showing an intense increase of 31.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 61.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia were the primary buyers of India's wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms. Together, they comprised 55.1% of total exports, with the United States at 32.0%, the United Arab Emirates at 15.4%, and Australia at 7.7%.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to India

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, India's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 4.0 K t, with the largest increase of 30.3% recorded that year. By 2020, imports fell to approximately 2.3 K t, a steep decrease of 42.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates dominated India's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms, together accounting for 87.5% of total imports. The remaining volume was spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, India's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 2.0 M $ US, with the largest increase of 30.3% occurring in 2018. By 2020, imports dropped to 1.1 M $ US, down 43.8% from a year earlier. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates remained the key sources for India's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, jointly taking 82.7% of total flows. Other partners were much less significant individually.

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

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