Wheat gluten market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat gluten market in Northern Europe expanded from 244 thousand tons in 2018 to over 301 thousand tons by 2021. This growth was primarily driven by rising consumer preference for plant-based proteins and clean-label food ingredients, reinforced by the increasing adoption of vegan and vegetarian diets, which boosted demand in key segments like bakery and meat alternatives.

Market volume then contracted to 218 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 210 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with global supply chain disruptions, which affected the availability and cost of imports, a major component of regional supply. Domestic production also fell significantly during this period, from 56 thousand tons in 2021 to 35 thousand tons in 2023.

Throughout the period, the market saw the emergence of an organic wheat gluten segment responding to demand for natural products, and industry investments focused on R&D for new applications in food diversification.

Production wheat gluten in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat gluten, 2017-2020

Wheat gluten production in Northern Europe has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 48 741 tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 48.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 58.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.4%.

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

Exports wheat gluten from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe exported 102.6 thousand tonnes of wheat gluten in 2020, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 28.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 90.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, the United States, and Germany were the top contributors to wheat gluten exports in kind from Northern Europe. Norway accounted for 24.6% of exports, the United States for 23.6%, and Germany for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 53.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, foreign wheat gluten supplies from Northern Europe increased. In 2020, exports reached 142.5 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 16.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 122.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, the United States, and Germany remained the primary destinations for wheat gluten exports from Northern Europe in value terms. Norway contributed 28.5% of exports, the United States 24.5%, and Germany 4.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 57.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat gluten to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's wheat gluten import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 337.3 thousand tonnes, marking a sudden rise of 34.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 39.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 222.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium, France, and Germany were the main sources for wheat gluten imports in kind to Northern Europe. Belgium accounted for 23.7% of imports, France for 23.6%, and Germany for 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported wheat gluten volumes in Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 382.4 million US dollars, indicating a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 386.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Belgium, France, and Germany stood out as the main markets for wheat gluten imports in value terms to Northern Europe. Belgium accounted for 25.1% of imports, France for 24.6%, and Germany for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 58.6% of total import flows.

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

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