Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Ireland showed notable volume shifts between 2018 and 2021. Market size declined from 268.9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 224.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, paralleled by a sharp fall in domestic production to 54.8 thousand tonnes. A rebound to 260.1 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021 as production recovered to 87.6 thousand tonnes.

From 2022, regulatory developments in the United Kingdom began influencing the market. The UK government's 2022 consultation on mandatory folic acid fortification for non-wholemeal wheat flour altered trade expectations, coinciding with a market volume rise to 280.3 thousand tonnes that year, fueled by import growth to 275.3 thousand tonnes. In 2023, as Defra finalized the fortification plans, market volume dropped to 255.7 thousand tonnes amid falling imports and a further production decline to 38.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting industry adaptation to the new standards.

The regulatory direction was reaffirmed in 2024, with UK authorities setting an October 2026 deadline for mandatory fortification, continuing to shape the operating environment for Irish producers and traders.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Ireland

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

Ireland's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 55 K t, marking a significant drop of 34.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 47.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 19.5%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ireland's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals amounted to 55.1 K t, down 10.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 47.4 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 61.8 K t. The sharpest drop was seen in 2018 at 19.9%, and the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 30.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals were almost entirely directed to the United Kingdom, which accounted for 99.9% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Ireland's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined in 2020. Exports totaled 18.2 M $ US, showing a modest decrease of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19.4 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred that same year with a 7.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom accounted for nearly all of Ireland's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, with a share of 98.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Ireland's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms declined in 2020. Imports registered 224.8 K t, which is 2.8% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 231.2 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the dominant partner for Ireland's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms, holding an 89.4% share of total flows, while other markets contributed a smaller portion.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Ireland's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 101.8 M $ US, indicating a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom was the principal market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports to Ireland in value terms, accounting for 87.7% of total imports, while other destinations made up a less significant portion.

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

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