Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Western Europe contracted from 16 590 тыс. т in 2018 to 15 355 тыс. т in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced demand for flour products in 2020. In 2019, GoodMills Innovations introduced a novel ultra-fine wheat flour, highlighting industry innovation despite the overall market contraction.

Market volume recovered from 2021 onward, reaching 16 438 тыс. т in 2023. This growth was supported by shifting consumer preferences toward whole grain, organic, and functional flours, including gluten-free alternatives. External factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war and extreme weather conditions in 2022 contributed to price volatility and supply chain adjustments, which influenced production and trade flows, while continued investment in sustainable milling technologies and specialized flour capacities underpinned the market's expansion.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Western 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

Western Europe's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 15 790 K t, representing a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Western Europe's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 9 453 M $ US, down 0.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 22.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 9 542 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 20.8%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Western Europe increased. In 2020, exports reached 1 349 K t, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 26.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 347 K t, which also experienced the largest annual drop of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola (3.9% of exports in kind), Poland (3.3%), and the United Kingdom (2.9%) were the largest buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Europe. Together, they accounted for 10.2% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 89.8% distributed among numerous smaller partners, indicating a highly diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe exported 807.6 M $ US worth of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, reflecting a modest 2.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 790.7 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 810.8 M $ US. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 2.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland (3.9% of exports in value terms), Angola (3.5%), and the United Kingdom (3.4%) were among the largest buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Western Europe. However, even combined, they represented only 10.8% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base with many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Western Europe's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased. In 2020, imports stood at 914 K t, up 17.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 778 K t, which also saw the largest annual drop of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import landscape for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind was highly diversified. Italy (7.3% of imports in kind), Spain (2.6%), and Poland (2.6%) together accounted for just 12.5% of total flows, with the remaining 87.5% sourced from a wide array of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals were valued at 673.1 M $ US, marking a 14.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 4.8%.

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

The import market in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was characterized by broad diversification. Italy (11.3% of imports in value terms), Spain (3.2%), and Poland (1.9%) jointly represented only 16.4% of total flows, while the remaining 83.6% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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