Wheat and meslin market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Southern Europe saw considerable variation in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 35 520 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market contracted to 32 552 thousand tonnes in 2019, then partially recovered to 33 692 thousand tonnes in 2020. In Italy, a labeling requirement introduced in 2018 mandated the indication of the wheat's country of cultivation and milling, enhancing transparency for consumers.

Market size stabilized around 33 600 thousand tonnes in 2021 amid volatility in international prices and rising production costs, particularly in Portugal which depends heavily on wheat imports. The following year, the market shrank to 31 031 thousand tonnes as the war in Ukraine and Russian export restrictions disrupted global trade, while severe drought in Europe reduced domestic production and COVID-19 continued to elevate input costs.

In 2023, despite ongoing drought conditions that constrained harvests in France, Italy, and Spain, the Southern European market expanded sharply to 37 242 thousand tonnes. This growth was driven by a surge in imports, including durum wheat from Turkey and Kazakhstan, which compensated for lower regional output. Italy reactivated its national durum wheat commission to improve market transparency and stability.

Production wheat and meslin in Southern 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, wheat and meslin production in Southern Europe experienced its largest decline, dropping by 14.7%. However, this was followed by a significant recovery in 2020, with output reaching 20,741 thousand tons, marking a 14.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 6.6%. The peak production level was recorded in 2018 at 21,166 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wheat and meslin production in Southern Europe has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the value of this production reached 6,027 million US dollars, up by 1.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 33.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, wheat and meslin exports from Southern Europe hit their lowest point at 1,257 thousand tons, reflecting a substantial decline of 46.6%. The situation reversed in 2020, with cross-border shipments rising to 1,883 thousand tons, a gain of 49.8% year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,352 thousand tons.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of wheat and meslin from Southern Europe were Tunisia, accounting for 17.7% of exports in kind, Romania with 12.0%, and Turkey at 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 33.4% of total exports in kind, indicating a diverse export market with many smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin exports from Southern Europe fell to its minimum of 415 million US dollars, a decline of 32.0%. This was followed by a sharp uptick in 2020, with exports reaching 547 million US dollars, marking a 31.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 610 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of wheat and meslin from Southern Europe in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. The top destinations were Tunisia, representing 20.1% of exports in value terms, Romania at 9.5%, and France with 4.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for only 34.4% of total export flows, highlighting a broad and diversified market.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin imports into Southern Europe have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 14,834 thousand tons, a decrease of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, wheat and meslin imports into Southern Europe came from many different markets. The largest suppliers were France, Bulgaria, and Hungary, but together they represented only 44.4% of total imports in kind, underscoring the region's reliance on a wide range of sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin imports into Southern Europe dropped to its lowest point at 3,648 million US dollars, a decline of 7.7%. This was followed by a modest increase in 2020, with imports reaching 3,697 million US dollars, up by 1.3% relative to the prior year. Over the period, the peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 3,953 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat and meslin into Southern Europe in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The top suppliers were France, accounting for 21.7% of imports in value terms, Bulgaria at 10.9%, and Hungary with 9.4%. Together, these three countries made up only 41.9% of total import flows, indicating a diversified sourcing strategy.

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

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