Wheat and meslin market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Serbia experienced notable changes between 2018 and 2020. Production started at 2.9 million tons in 2018, bolstered by continuous state institutional support for wheat cultivation and the wider use of science‑based agrotechnical measures, including optimized fertilizer and crop protection. However, output fell to 2.5 million tons in 2019, a year in which more farmers purchased crop insurance to stabilize their operations. Market volume nevertheless grew to 2.2 million tons that year as exports dropped sharply. By 2020, production recovered to 2.9 million tons amid increased price volatility and global factors such as energy‑price swings and supply‑chain disruptions, which prompted the adoption of option‑based hedging strategies to manage market risks.

The period from 2021 to 2022 was characterized by advancing risk‑management practices and a heightened focus on food self‑sufficiency. In 2021, production surged to 3.4 million tons as option strategies for price risk management became more developed and ongoing investment in new wheat varieties with improved technological qualities enhanced yields. The following year, production moderated to 3.1 million tons while national attention turned strongly to trade dependence and food security, reflecting broader global supply‑chain and energy‑price pressures that influenced market decisions and kept export volumes in check.

In 2023, production rose again to 3.4 million tons, and the domestic market volume reached a peak of 2.8 million tons, the highest level recorded in the full period from 2018 to 2023.

Production wheat and meslin in Serbia

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 2020, Serbia produced 2 874 K t of wheat and meslin, marking a 13.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 26.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 13.8%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 29.3%, when production peaked at 2 942 K t.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of wheat and meslin in Serbia was valued at 592.9 M $ US, reflecting a year-over-year advance of 14.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 7.1%, while the highest increase occurred in 2018, reaching 35.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Serbia

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 324 K t, with a decline of 70.7%, and peaked in 2018 at 1 107 K t, showing an increase of 195.4%. This resulted in a 3.4-fold swing between these years. In 2020, wheat and meslin exports from Serbia amounted to 521 K t, indicating a significant 60.5% rise compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia were the top destinations for Serbia's wheat and meslin exports in kind. Romania accounted for 42.7% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 18.0%, and North Macedonia for 13.1%, together comprising 73.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Export values dropped to a minimum in 2019 at 66.4 M $ US, with a decline of 68.4%, and climbed to a maximum in 2018 at 210.4 M $ US, reflecting an increase of 209.3%. This represented a 3.2-fold shift. In 2020, wheat and meslin deliveries from Serbia stood at 107.5 M $ US, up by 61.8% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia continued to lead as the primary buyers of wheat and meslin from Serbia in value terms. Romania made up 41.7% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina 18.4%, and North Macedonia 13.6%, jointly accounting for 73.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Serbia

Imports in kind, K t

The market trend was unstable throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 K t, with a decline of 10.8%, and peaked in 2020 at 3 K t, showing a 3.1-fold fluctuation. In 2020, imported wheat and meslin volumes in Serbia totaled 3 K t, representing a steep year-over-year increase of 169.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, France, and Croatia remained the key partners for Serbia's wheat and meslin imports in kind. Hungary contributed 44.3% of imports, France 26.8%, and Croatia 7.3%, together accounting for 78.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend during the period. Import values reached their minimum in 2019 at 0.7 M $ US, with a decline of 22.5%, and peaked in 2020 at 1.4 M $ US, showing a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, Serbia imported 1.4 M $ US of wheat and meslin, marking a steep increase of 118.9% from the previous year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Hungary, and Italy stood out as the main markets for Serbia's wheat and meslin imports in value terms. France accounted for 54.4% of imports, Hungary for 22.0%, and Italy for 6.6%, together representing 83.0% of total import flows.

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

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