Wheat and meslin market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market volume for wheat and meslin in Germany increased from 18,723 thousand tons to 20,702 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the suspension of the GLÖZ‑8 mandatory fallow land requirement, a measure introduced due to the Ukraine war, which allowed farmers to plant wheat twice in succession, boosting domestic production and supply. In 2020, the market volume contracted to 16,881 thousand tons. During this year, the German Agricultural Society published its DLG‑Merkblatt 421, establishing uniform conditions for grain trade and strengthening contractual delivery obligations, which introduced new operational frameworks for the sector.

Market volume recovered to 18,276 thousand tons in 2021 amid stable regulatory conditions, with no major new policies reported. The following year, 2022, saw a significant rise in market value to 7,403 million US dollars, heavily influenced by global price surges following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, even as physical volume grew moderately to 20,521 thousand tons. In 2023, the market volume eased slightly to 19,825 thousand tons. Regulatory support continued with the suspension of GLÖZ‑7 crop rotation rules until 2024, explicitly to enable repeated wheat cultivation in response to the ongoing war's impact on supply security.

Looking ahead to 2024, new GLÖZ‑7 regulations took effect for the 2024/25 season, requiring at least two main crops within three years and permitting catch‑crop wheat. Concurrently, amendments to the Food and Feed Code introduced updated labeling and packaging requirements for grain products, setting the stage for future market conditions.

Production wheat and meslin in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany ranked as the world's ninth-largest producer of wheat and meslin.

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Germany produced 22 172 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin, marking a gradual year-on-year decline of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.4%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 20 264 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 17.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 13.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin output in Germany was 5 055 million US dollars, reflecting a 2.6% drop from the previous year. The lowest value was 4 499 million US dollars in 2018, while the highest was 5 191 million US dollars in 2019. The most significant decrease of 10.4% took place in 2018, whereas the largest increase of 15.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin exports from Germany grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 9 293 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 67.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest export volume was 5 242 thousand tonnes in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 33.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's wheat and meslin exports in volume terms were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant partner. The Netherlands accounted for 15.7% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 11.9%, and Belgium for 10.9%, with these three countries together making up just 38.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wheat and meslin shipments from Germany increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 2 119 million US dollars, up 69.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 31.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The lowest value was 1 164 million US dollars in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 28.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the value of wheat and meslin exports from Germany was relatively evenly spread among trading partners. The Netherlands contributed 15.5% of export value, Saudi Arabia 11.2%, and Belgium 11.1%, with these three countries collectively accounting for only 37.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, wheat and meslin imports into Germany rebounded. In 2020, imports stood at 4 002 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 24.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest import volume was 3 203 thousand tonnes in 2019, which also recorded the largest decline of 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and France were the leading sources of wheat and meslin imports into Germany by volume. Czechia accounted for 46.0% of imports, Poland for 16.5%, and France for 11.1%, with these three countries together comprising 73.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin imports into Germany amounted to 911 million US dollars, representing a 23.3% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was 739 million US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 13.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Czechia, Poland, and France—collectively accounted for 67.7% of the total value of wheat and meslin imports into Germany.

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

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