Wheat and meslin flour market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish wheat and meslin flour market volume grew from 3.35 million metric tons in 2018 to 3.58 million in 2019, driven by regulatory preparations that year, including draft bread quality rules setting stricter definitions for 'wholemeal bread' and salt limits, alongside new EU labeling requirements for non-wheat flours. These were formalized in 2019 with Royal Decree 308/2019 on bread quality and a nationwide inspection campaign for non-wheat flours, which together stimulated market activity. In 2020, volume eased to 3.45 million metric tons; while COVID‑19 lockdowns boosted household flour consumption for home baking, this did not fully offset the overall market contraction.

Regulatory updates continued to influence the sector from 2021 through 2024. The 2021 technical regulation for enriching wheat flour with iron and vitamins, followed by the 2022 enforcement of a 1.31% salt cap in common bread and updated flour quality standards introducing new categories like 'flor' and 'morena' wheat flour, kept producers adapting. By 2023, soft wheat flour production remained strong at 3.44 million metric tons, above the decade average, while draft reforms for 4 pointed to future innovations, including provisions for novel flour sources such as insect‑based flour.

Production wheat and meslin flour in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's wheat and meslin flour production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 114 million US dollars, representing a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, which translates to an average annual rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 175 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 8.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's wheat and meslin flour production volume saw a decline. In 2020, the country produced 3 468 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 639 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour amounted to 125.9 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 10.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 124.9 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 140.2 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal, Italy, and France dominated Spain's wheat and meslin flour exports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 53.0% of exports, Italy for 14.1%, and France for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 78.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's wheat and meslin flour exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 44 642 thousand US dollars, up 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and Italy were the top markets for Spain's wheat and meslin flour exports in value terms. Portugal held a 50.2% share, France 12.8%, and Italy 12.5%. Combined, these three countries made up 75.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's imports of wheat and meslin flour reached 110.3 thousand tonnes, a sharp 30.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 11.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 84.8 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 144.4 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 41.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 46.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Portugal, and Lithuania were the main sources for Spain's wheat and meslin flour imports in volume terms. France accounted for 25.9% of imports, Portugal for 22.2%, and Lithuania for 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 65.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's wheat and meslin flour imports amounted to 44 819 thousand US dollars, a 10.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 415 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 23.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and Italy were the three principal markets for Spain's wheat and meslin flour imports in value terms, together accounting for 62.8% of total import value.

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

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