Wheat and meslin market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the wheat and meslin market volume in Western Europe increased, driven by the ongoing expansion of organic wheat cultivation areas in the EU, which boosted domestic production. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when a surge in global wheat output led to oversupply, compounded by supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a sharp contraction in market volume.

The market rebounded in 2021, supported by rising demand for organic wheat and increased investment in sustainable farming practices. However, in 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine severely disrupted wheat supplies from the Black Sea region, pushing up energy and fertilizer costs and prompting export restrictions, which reduced market volume.

By 2023, wheat prices had retreated from their peaks, allowing market volume to recover. The market continues to be shaped by a focus on sustainability and local supply chains, with geopolitical tensions and a weaker euro influencing trade dynamics.

Production wheat and meslin in Western 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, Western Europe produced 68,877 K t of wheat and meslin, marking the highest output in the period. However, production fell by 16.8% in 2020 to 57,280 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.5%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 14.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin production in Western Europe reached its peak at 16,471 M $ US. This was followed by a decline of 11.9% in 2020, bringing the value down to 14,515 M $ US. The lowest value in the period was recorded in 2018 at 13,325 M $ US. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 3.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The most significant year-on-year increase was in 2019, when the value surged by 23.6%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 29,123 K t of wheat and meslin, representing a 15.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 27.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The largest decline in exports occurred in 2019, when they fell by 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wheat and meslin exports from Western Europe were distributed across numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Algeria, Italy, and Spain—collectively accounted for only 30.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wheat and meslin exports from Western Europe have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export value reached 7,380 M $ US, showing a strong increase of 22.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 45.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%.

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

The partner structure for wheat and meslin exports in value terms was fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Algeria accounted for 16.4% of export value, Italy for 8.5%, and Spain for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.3% of total export flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Western Europe's imports of wheat and meslin reached their lowest point at 9,108 K t. Imports then increased slightly by 1.2% in 2020 to 9,218 K t. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 13,017 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.5%, averaging an annual decline of 8.2%. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 30.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and Hungary were notable suppliers of wheat and meslin to Western Europe, but their combined share was not dominant. Czechia accounted for 13.8% of import volume, Poland for 4.3%, and Hungary for 3.7%. Together, they represented only 21.9% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin imports to Western Europe was at its lowest, at 3,130 M $ US. In 2020, import value remained virtually unchanged at 3,132 M $ US. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3,386 M $ US. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 5.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.0%. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 7.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wheat and meslin imports to Western Europe in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Czechia accounted for 12.8% of import value, Poland for 4.1%, and Hungary for 3.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 20.4% of total import flows.

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

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