Wheat and meslin flour market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin flour market in the Netherlands experienced significant fluctuations in physical volume between 2018 and 2024. After a high of over 1 million tons in 2018, consumption dropped to 908 000 t in 2019 before recovering to around 960 000 t in 2020-2021. A second peak occurred in 2022 at 1 million tons, followed by a gradual softening to 973 000 t by 2024. In value terms, however, the market showed a strong upward trajectory from 2020 onward, rising from $356 million to a peak of $570 million in 2023, driven by increasing prices.

The market value corrected sharply in 2024, falling to $481 million, while volume remained nearly unchanged. This adjustment was influenced by a substantially lower domestic wheat harvest, which dropped by 25% to its lowest level in 25 years due to unfavorable weather conditions in late 2023. Concurrently, significant price pressure on the European wheat market, stemming from ample supplies from the Black Sea region and logistical tensions at EU borders, contributed to the decline in the flour market's monetary value.

Production wheat and meslin flour in the Netherlands

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The Netherlands experienced a second consecutive year of decline in wheat and meslin flour production. In 2020, output was valued at 221.9 million US dollars, representing a modest decrease of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 250.1 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 15.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands produced 604.1 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin flour, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.2%, averaging 2.3% per year. The peak production volume was reached in 2018 at 630.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 11.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 5.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands exported 155.6 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin flour, showing a substantial decline of 24.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 204.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for wheat and meslin flour from the Netherlands was quite diverse. Belgium accounted for 15.2% of exports, Germany for 14.0%, and Guinea-Bissau for 12.7%, together making up 41.9% of total flows. The remaining 58.1% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the Netherlands' cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour declined. In 2020, exports totaled 72.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 22.6% from 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 93.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Guinea-Bissau were the largest buyers of wheat and meslin flour from the Netherlands in value terms, with shares of 17.2%, 14.1%, and 10.2% respectively. However, their combined contribution was only 41.5% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

The Netherlands' volume of wheat and meslin flour imports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume amounted to 510.8 thousand tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Belgium together accounted for 94.2% of total wheat and meslin flour imports to the Netherlands in volume terms, with the remainder spread across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour deliveries to the Netherlands amounted to 206.5 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.8% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 195.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 220.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat and meslin flour to the Netherlands in value terms were heavily concentrated on Germany and Belgium, whose combined share reached 91.1% of total flows, with other destinations playing a minor role.

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

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