Wheat and meslin market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the wheat and meslin market volume in Eastern Europe grew steadily from 61.1 million tons to 87.2 million tons, supported by consistent production increases. Rising wheat prices in Europe during 2021 encouraged the expansion of sown areas, which contributed to higher output.

In 2022, market volume surged to 116.4 million tons. This sharp increase was primarily driven by Russia's export ban on wheat and meslin introduced in March 2022, which curtailed overseas shipments and redirected more grain to the domestic market. The ban, enacted by Russian Government Decree No. 362, alongside logistics disruptions from the conflict in Ukraine, significantly altered trade flows.

The market volume fell to 86.8 million tons in 2023 as exports rebounded, notably due to a substantial rise in Chinese purchases of Russian wheat. While sown areas in Russia expanded, production experienced a slight dip, and continued export quotas could not offset the strong outward pull from international demand.

Production wheat and meslin in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

Wheat and meslin production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 150.1 million tonnes, marking a 3.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 137.1 million tonnes, when production fell by 11.9%—the largest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production rising by 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wheat and meslin production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has also risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 31 772 million US dollars, up 10.4% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 26 753 million US dollars, when it decreased by 2.6%—the largest decline during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, exports of wheat and meslin from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 73 917 thousand tonnes, a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.3%, averaging an annual rise of 1.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 77 243 thousand tonnes, which represented a 10.0% increase—the largest jump in these years. However, exports fell by 9.0% in 2019, marking the biggest decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, wheat and meslin exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were distributed across numerous markets. Egypt accounted for 16.1% of exports in kind, Turkey for 9.3%, and Bangladesh for 5.2%. Together, these three countries made up only 30.5% of total exports, highlighting the region's diversified trade flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) hit 15 642 million US dollars, rising 12.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 26.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.6%, while the biggest decline was in 2019, when exports dropped by 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Turkey, and Bangladesh were among the top buyers of wheat and meslin from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Egypt represented 16.4% of exports, Turkey 9.3%, and Bangladesh 5.0%. Combined, they accounted for just 30.7% of total export value, underscoring a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of wheat and meslin into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 945 thousand tonnes, surging 32.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 92.3%, with an average annual increase of 24.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for wheat and meslin imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Kazakhstan accounted for 7.8% of imports, Germany for 3.1%, and Austria for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented 11.9% of total flows, with many other nations making up the remaining 88.1%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of wheat and meslin imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 562 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 20.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 448 million US dollars, when imports declined by 6.3%—the largest drop in this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, imports in value terms of wheat and meslin to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) relied on a wide range of partner countries. Kazakhstan accounted for 9.5% of imports, Germany for 4.1%, and Austria for 1.7%. Together, these three countries took just 15.2% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020