Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Northern Europe contracted from approximately 7.5 million tons in 2018 to 6.5 million tons in 2020, due to falling domestic production and volatile export volumes.

After stabilizing near 6.5 million tons in 2021 and 2022, the market expanded by 7% to reach 7.0 million tons in 2023. During 2022, significant global agricultural commodity inflation drove up flour prices, impacting trade flows, while a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier alternatives like whole wheat and organic flour began influencing product assortments.

The growth in 2023 represented a clear recovery in market volume, although no specific drivers for that year were highlighted in the available sources.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Northern 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

Northern Europe's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6 537 K t, which represents a 4.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7 563 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 10.0%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 2.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Northern Europe reached 12 012 M $ US, marking a 2.8% increase from the year before. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 12 750 M $ US. The most substantial decline happened in 2019, with an 8.4% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, showing an 11.2% rise.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Northern Europe's export volume of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 319.4 K t, representing a dramatic 67.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 190.7 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 49.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Thailand accounted for 4.0% of exports, France for 3.2%, and Sierra Leone for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 9.7% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Northern Europe's export value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined in 2020. Exports totaled 185.5 M $ US, down by 10.6% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 207.5 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 3.3% rise.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France was the most significant buyer of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Northern Europe in value terms, accounting for 8.0% of exports. Germany followed with 4.2%, and Thailand with 3.0%. However, these three countries combined represented only 15.2% of total export value, with the remaining 84.8% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind stood at 299.0 K t, showing a slight increase of 2.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 1.6% drop, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's imports in kind of wheat and meslin flour and cereals came from a diverse range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 12.2% of imports, France for 9.7%, and Poland for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.8% of total import flows, with the substantial majority of 69.2% sourced from many other nations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's import value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 251.5 M $ US, reflecting a 2.2% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 11.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 highlights a diversified set of trading partners. Italy accounted for 12.2% of imports, Germany for 11.8%, and France for 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 33.5% of total import flows, while the remaining 66.5% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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