Wheat and meslin market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wheat and meslin market volume in Northern Europe showed considerable volatility. It increased to 28 006 thousand tonnes in 2019, then contracted sharply to 20 670 thousand tonnes the following year.

A recovery followed in 2021, and growth continued into 2022 when the market reached 28 212 thousand tonnes. This expansion occurred alongside a peak in global wheat production, which enhanced available supply. Simultaneously, geopolitical conflicts and widespread supply-chain disruptions influenced trade patterns and market dynamics in the region.

The market volume retreated to 23 386 thousand tonnes in 2023, bringing it near the level observed at the start of the period.

Production wheat and meslin in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Northern Europe produced 33,365 K t of wheat and meslin, marking the highest output during the 2017-2020 period. However, production declined to 26,636 K t in 2020, representing a 20.2% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23,645 K t. Over the entire four-year span, production fell by 15.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 25.2%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 with a 41.1% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin production in Northern Europe reached its peak at 7,278 M $ US. By 2020, this value had decreased to 6,274 M $ US, reflecting a 13.8% reduction compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5,745 M $ US. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 3.2%, with an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with a 26.7% rise.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's wheat and meslin exports displayed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 4,308 K t, representing a 44.4% decline from the previous year. However, exports rebounded sharply in 2019 with a 92.1% increase. By 2020, exports had risen to 9,693 K t, showing a 17.1% year-over-year growth. The overall fluctuation from the 2018 low to the 2020 high represented a 2.2-fold difference, indicating a highly dynamic market environment.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Europe's wheat and meslin exports were distributed across multiple markets rather than concentrated among a few key partners. Saudi Arabia accounted for 13.8% of exports, Spain for 11.0%, and Nigeria for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 34.2% of total export volumes, demonstrating a diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of wheat and meslin exports from Northern Europe showed significant volatility during the 2017-2020 period. In 2018, export value reached its lowest point at 1,047 M $ US, marking a 34.1% decrease from the previous year. However, 2019 saw a substantial recovery with a 72.5% increase. By 2020, export value had climbed to 2,283 M $ US, representing a dramatic 26.5% year-over-year growth. The overall fluctuation from the 2018 low to the 2020 high represented a 2.2-fold difference, reflecting a volatile market environment.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's wheat and meslin export value was distributed across numerous trading partners rather than concentrated among a few key markets. Saudi Arabia accounted for 13.5% of export value, Spain for 10.8%, and Nigeria for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 34.0% of total export value, with the remaining 66.0% distributed among many other countries, indicating a balanced export structure.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's wheat and meslin imports showed notable fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, imports reached their highest level at 4,604 K t, representing a 35.9% increase from the previous year. However, imports declined to 2,916 K t in 2019, marking a 36.7% decrease. By 2020, imports had recovered to 3,727 K t, showing a 27.8% year-over-year increase. Over the entire four-year period, imports grew by 10%, with an average annual increase of 3.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Europe's wheat and meslin imports were sourced from a diverse range of suppliers rather than concentrated among a few key partners. Germany accounted for 14.0% of imports, Canada for 10.5%, and France for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 34.3% of total import volumes, reflecting a diversified import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of wheat and meslin imports to Northern Europe fluctuated significantly between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, import value reached its peak at 1,171 M $ US, representing a 42.9% increase from the previous year. However, import value declined to 762 M $ US in 2019, marking a 34.9% decrease. By 2020, import value had recovered to 933 M $ US, showing a 22.4% year-over-year increase. Over the entire period, import value grew by 13.8%, with an average annual increase of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Canada, and France were the largest suppliers of wheat and meslin to Northern Europe in value terms, accounting for 14.4%, 12.9%, and 10.0% of imports respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 37.3% of total import value, indicating that Northern Europe maintained a diversified supplier base with many other countries accounting for the majority of imports.

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

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