Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Israel, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Israel grew from 634.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 689.9 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by the mandatory Linkage procedure, which required importers to purchase domestic wheat, thereby bolstering local production and supply. The market saw a significant demand surge during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which increased consumption of baking products and flour. Subsequent regional supply difficulties, particularly due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2021 onward, led to increased imports from alternative sources to meet demand, further contributing to market growth despite rising global wheat prices.

Regulatory developments played a key role in shaping the market. The establishment of licensing policy for kosher flour for Passover aimed to prevent monopolistic practices. Price control mechanisms and oversight were subjects of ongoing tension, influencing market conditions. A major turning point was the initiation of the 'What is good for Europe is good for Israel' import reform in 2022, legislation designed to reduce import duties and open the market, directly affecting the entry conditions for flour and wheat grain into the domestic supply chain.

Efforts to enhance long-term food security and reduce import dependency marked the later years. This included the development of an early-ripening Israeli wheat variety by the Volcani Institute in 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture's promotion of local nutritional security and the continuation of import duty reforms in 2024 underscored a strategic shift towards strengthening the domestic agricultural base for wheat and cereals.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Israel

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, Israel produced 638.0 thousand tons of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, showing minimal change from the previous year. Production increased by 5.1% between 2017 and 2020, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 638.0 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 3.1% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Israel's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 324.6 million US dollars, up by 22.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 44.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Israel

Exports in kind, t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Israel increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Israel exported 1 020 tons, which is 28.6% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 518.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 83.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Israel were supplied almost exclusively to the United States, which accounted for 92.6% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Israel increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 519 thousand US dollars, representing a 57.3% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 750.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 104.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Israel were almost entirely tied to the United States, whose share amounted to 92.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Israel

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Israel's volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports increased. In 2020, Israel imported 16 818 tons, representing a strong rise of 12.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 981 tons, with the largest annual decline of 20.2% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (42.9% of imports in volume), Ukraine (32.2% of imports in volume), and Germany (10.6% of imports in volume) continued to be the main suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Israel, jointly forming 85.6% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals deliveries to Israel reached 9 189 thousand US dollars, indicating an increase of 42.5% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 6 448 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 11.4% occurring that same year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Italy, Ukraine, and Germany—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.6% of total flows.

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

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