Wheat and meslin market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Greek wheat and meslin market volume stood at 1.8 million tons. That year, the government announced full national self-sufficiency in durum wheat and initiated cooperation with Italian companies to improve varietal productivity. Market volume dipped to 1.7 million tons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced import flows and demand, contributing to a further market contraction, although domestic production increased.

International durum wheat prices surged in 2021, boosting Greek production and exports. The Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 triggered a soft wheat import shortage and sharp price increases, which accelerated domestic output expansion, including the entry of a new soft wheat producer in Arcadia. By 2023, the market volume reached 1.9 million tons, supported by farmer subsidies and the strengthened position of the state-controlled milling company Loulis Food Ingredients.

Production wheat and meslin in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of decline, Greece's wheat and meslin production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 1 095 thousand tons that year, marking an 11.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 979 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 20.9% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, wheat and meslin production in Greece saw a recovery in value terms in 2020. The output was valued at 339.9 million US dollars, representing a 30.1% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 261.3 million US dollars, with the most significant decline taking place in 2018 at 20.8%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Greece's wheat and meslin exports totaled 287 thousand tons, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 36.7%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 11.0%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 341 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.0%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 at 62.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Tunisia dominated Greece's wheat and meslin exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 56.9% of total flows, and Tunisia for 31.4%, together making up 88.3% of exports. Other partners contributed the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Greece exported 89.2 million US dollars worth of wheat and meslin, a 16.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 66.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 12.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 62.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Tunisia remained the primary destinations for Greece's wheat and meslin exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 88.4% of total flows, with other partners playing a much smaller role individually.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin imports into Greece declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports were recorded at 890 thousand tons, down 14.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.8%, averaging an annual decline of 7.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Russia, and France were the main sources of wheat and meslin imports into Greece in volume terms. Bulgaria contributed 38.8% of imports, Russia 17.5%, and France 8.7%, together accounting for 64.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported wheat and meslin volumes in Greece declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 211.0 million US dollars, an 11.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 13.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 251.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Russia, and France continued to lead as suppliers of wheat and meslin to Greece in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 37.0% of imports, Russia for 18.2%, and France for 9.8%, jointly making up 65.0% of total import value.

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

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