Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Southern Europe experienced modest fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume hovering around 15 800 thousand tonnes. Persistent high production costs, driven by rising fertilizer and energy prices, along with competitive pressure from Ukrainian grain imports, limited market expansion during the initial years.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 exacerbated cost pressures and supply chain fragility, leading to a slight market contraction. Subsequently, a shift in consumer demand towards healthier flour varieties, such as wholemeal and gluten-free options, combined with industry investments in production efficiency, fueled a 3.6% market volume growth to over 16 000 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Southern 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

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Southern Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 16 194 K t, remaining almost flat compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16 070 K t, which represented a decline of 2.5% from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 0.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production value has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 9 980 M $ US, marking a significant increase of 13.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 32.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.7%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Southern Europe have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 686.0 K t, showing a moderate decrease of 9.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 20.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Southern Europe were exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—France, Germany, and Angola—collectively accounted for only 20.6% of total exports in kind, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Southern Europe reached 422.8 M $ US, reflecting a moderate increase of 3.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value rose by 6.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. France (12.3% of export value), Germany (8.5%), and the United States (5.1%) together represented 25.9% of total flows, with the remaining 74.1% distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports totaled 397.9 K t, up by 5.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 20.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 377.6 K t, which marked a sharp decline of 34.0% from 2018. In contrast, 2018 saw the highest import volume at 572.3 K t, with the largest increase of 14.2% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (10.1% of imports in kind), Austria (5.4%), and Hungary (5.2%) formed the largest group of suppliers to Southern Europe. However, their combined share was limited to 20.8% of total imports in kind, reflecting a diversified import structure with many other countries involved.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Southern Europe amounted to 216.3 M $ US, showing an improvement of 7.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 6.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 200.7 M $ US, which represented a decline of 8.8% from 2018. Conversely, 2018 saw the highest value at 219.9 M $ US, with the largest increase of 8.1% from the previous year.

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

The analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. France (9.2% of import value), Austria (6.1%), and Germany (5.2%) together accounted for only 20.5% of total flows, while a significant 79.5% was attributed to other partners.

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

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