Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat bran market in Western Europe began the period at 3 249 thousand tons in 2018, supported by abundant wheat bran residues from milling in regions like Flanders and Wallonia. The European ValBran project aimed to valorize these residues into bio-based surfactants and improved animal feed, indicating innovation in product applications. In 2019, the market contracted to 2 828 thousand tons, primarily due to a sharp decline in imports, while the ValBran project continued its research. By 2020, the market recovered slightly to 2 942 thousand tons, as studies on milling techniques shed light on how processing affects bran quality.

Market volume grew to 3 325 thousand tons in 2021, with no specific disruptive factors reported. A significant expansion followed in 2022, when the market reached 3 939 thousand tons. This surge was driven by a rise in imports to 1 233 thousand tons, facilitated by international trade dynamics that saw major exporters like Russia and India supplying the region.

In 2023, the market declined to 3 250 thousand tons, as global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic caused labor shortages and delivery constraints. Concurrently, artificial intelligence adoption began optimizing milling processes and market analysis. For 2024, while full market size data is not yet available, trade flows remain active, and factors such as wheat price fluctuations and ongoing valorization projects continue to influence the sector.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Western Europe's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 163 K t, which represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wheat bran, sharps, and residues production in Western Europe dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 580.6 M $ US, marking a slight year-over-year decline of 0.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 641.5 M $ US, which saw a 7.7% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.8% drop.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Western Europe have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 1 206 K t, up by 18.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.8%, averaging an annual increase of 5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 994 K t, which saw a 3.7% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Western Europe were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Ireland accounted for 7.3% of exports in kind, Spain for 6.9%, and the United Kingdom for 5.9%, together making up only 20.1% of total flows.

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

In 2020, the value of wheat bran, sharps, and residues leaving Western Europe reached 221.3 M $ US, a 21.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 24.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 6.7% drop.

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

During 2017–2020, Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom were significant buyers of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Western Europe in value terms. Ireland accounted for 8.1% of exports, Spain for 7.0%, and the United Kingdom for 6.6%, but their combined share was only 21.7% of total exports. The remaining 78.3% was distributed among many other partners.

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 bran, sharps and residues to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After declining for two years, wheat bran, sharps, and residues imports into Western Europe increased in 2020. Imports reached 984 K t, up by 64.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.5%, averaging an annual decline of 10.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 598 K t, which saw a 39.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Poland, Czechia, and Lithuania—together accounted for 28.0% of total imports in kind of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Western Europe.

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 2020, Western Europe imported a total of 169.5 M $ US of wheat bran, sharps, and residues, showing a slight increase of 1.3% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 0.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with an 11.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Poland accounted for 13.2% of imports, Czechia for 7.9%, and Lithuania for 3.8%, together representing 24.9% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 75.1%.

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

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