Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals experienced a significant contraction in 2019, with its volume falling from 5.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 4.7 million tonnes. For the following years through 2023, market volume stabilized, fluctuating within a range of 4.6 to 4.8 million tonnes, indicating a period of adjustment after the initial decline.

Starting in 2022, specific regulatory changes began to influence market dynamics. The UK government launched a consultation on amendments to the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998, proposing the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid. Concurrently, the end of mutual recognition arrangements with the EU from October 2022 required all wheat flour imported from the EU/EEA to comply with UK fortification standards, altering import conditions and supporting domestic production adaptations.

These regulatory developments continued to shape the market through 2024 and 2025. Defra issued guidance on labeling, including the use of the term 'wholemeal,' and introduced technical amendments to the regulations. The legislation established a requirement for mandatory folic acid fortification to be implemented by the end of 2026, while providing exemptions for small mills producing under 500 tonnes per year and for flour from specific wheat types like spelt and durum.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom ranked as the 17th largest global producer of wheat and meslin flour and cereals.

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 4 652 K t of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, marking a 4.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, at 14.8%, while 2020 saw a slight increase of 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, the United Kingdom's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals rose in 2021, reaching 199.6 K t, a 4.4% year-on-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 18.7%, translating to an annualized rate of -6.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 191.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 18.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland accounted for 79.0% of the United Kingdom's total exports in kind, with the remaining volume distributed among numerous countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 103.0 M $ US, down 10.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 22%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the three largest markets for the United Kingdom's exports in value terms were Ireland, France, and Denmark, collectively representing 79.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

The United Kingdom's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 145.8 K t, up 12.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 120.7 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, France, Italy, and Poland formed the core of the United Kingdom's imports in kind, with shares of 26.0%, 17.8%, and 13.7%, respectively, together accounting for 57.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 91.4 M $ US, a 21.9% rise from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 54.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Italy, France, and Poland were the main markets for the United Kingdom's imports in value terms, with shares of 25.6%, 19.8%, and 10.5%, respectively, combining for 55.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021