Wheat and meslin market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Belarus experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume rose from about 2.2 million tons in 2018 to a high of over 3.0 million tons in 2022, but fell back to approximately 2.6 million tons in 2023. The most notable increases occurred in 2019 and 2020, while declines were recorded in 2021 and 2023.

A key driver for the market's peak in 2022 was a grain harvest that exceeded the previous year's results, with more than 5.7 million tons threshed nationwide. This production boost was facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture's active planning and support measures for the sector. In 2020, a substantial rise in export volumes highlighted the country's expanding export potential, even amidst lower global wheat prices.

Throughout the period, import flows remained consistent, primarily sourced from traditional suppliers like Russia, Germany, and Poland, ensuring stable supply channels.

Production wheat and meslin in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Wheat and meslin production in Belarus has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belarus produced 2,848 thousand tons of wheat and meslin, marking a 23.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 8.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,815 thousand tons, representing the largest decline of 30.7% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 27.2% rise.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.2 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 21.7 thousand tons, showing a 91-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus's wheat and meslin exports surged by 8,954.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 88.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Russia were the leading destinations for Belarus's wheat and meslin exports in kind. Ukraine accounted for 41.0% of exports, Lithuania for 30.8%, and Russia for 27.8%. Together, these three countries represented 99.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms hit a low in 2019 at 153 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 4,174 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 27-fold variation. In 2020, wheat and meslin shipments from Belarus abroad saw a sharp uptick of 2,629.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 63.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania remained the key markets for Belarus's wheat and meslin exports in value terms. These three countries collectively accounted for 99.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 340.3 thousand tons and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 17.8 thousand tons, showing a 19-fold change. In 2020, Belarus's wheat and meslin imports dropped by 94.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 142.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's wheat and meslin imports in kind were predominantly oriented towards Russia, which held a 93.2% share of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports in value terms reached a high in 2019 at 64,437 thousand US dollars and a low in 2020 at 4,741 thousand US dollars, varying by a factor of 13.6. In 2020, Belarus's volume of wheat and meslin imports decreased by 92.6% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 159.4%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary direction for Belarus's wheat and meslin imports in value terms, accounting for 89.3% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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