Wheat and meslin market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market volume in South-eastern Asia showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 26.5 million tons in 2018, it contracted to 24.2 million tons in 2019 before recovering to 25.5 million tons in 2020. This rebound coincided with a global 18% increase in wheat flour production, which improved supply availability and likely facilitated import flows into the region.

The market volume surged to a peak of 27.6 million tons in 2021. However, it fell sharply by 14% to 23.6 million tons in 2022, driven by significant global agricultural commodity inflation that spiked wheat flour export prices by 16% and widespread supply chain disruptions which raised costs and constrained trade. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume reaching 27.5 million tons, supported by record-high Asia-Pacific flour exports and a modest rise in regional consumption.

Production wheat and meslin in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

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

Wheat and meslin production in South-eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 106.8 thousand tonnes, which represents a 4.6% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.3%, translating to an average annual decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wheat and meslin from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 16 thousand tonnes, then peaked in 2017 with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 46 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin, marking a 9.6% year-over-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 69.5%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 170.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, accounting for 4.8% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 1.4%, and Papua New Guinea with 0.7%, consistently held leading positions in the country structure of exports. Together, these three destinations represented 6.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, wheat and meslin exports from South-eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. The region exported 12 million US dollars worth of these goods, showing a strong 12.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.5%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 million US dollars, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Cyprus with 4.4% of exports in value terms, Asia not elsewhere specified at 1.4%, and Papua New Guinea at 1.2%, consistently ranked as the top destinations in the country structure of exports. Collectively, they accounted for 6.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported approximately 25 415 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin, which is 5.4% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 106 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 26 412 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, the United States, and Ukraine were the primary sources for wheat and meslin imports into South-eastern Asia. Australia accounted for 24.4% of imports in kind, the United States for 21.2%, and Ukraine for 17.4%. Together, these three countries represented 63.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat and meslin imports into South-eastern Asia reached 6 421 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 1.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 711 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, the United States, and Ukraine formed the main group of destinations for wheat and meslin imports into South-eastern Asia in value terms. Australia contributed 24.6% of imports, the United States 23.1%, and Ukraine 16.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 63.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020