Wheat groats and meal market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian wheat groats and meal market opened the period at 3.4 million tons in 2018, supported by growing consumer demand for wholemeal and organic products within the bakery sector. A sharp contraction followed, with volume falling to 2.2 million tons in 2019 and further to 1.8 million tons in 2020, a decline that coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns.

Market volume recovered to 2.4 million tons in 2021, driven by increased purchase frequency and a sustained consumer shift toward higher-quality, health-oriented products like organic and wholemeal varieties. This rebound was short-lived, as volume dropped again to 1.9 million tons in 2022 due to a raw material crisis aggravated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which tightened grain supplies and combined with soaring energy costs to pressure production and prices.

From 2023 onward, the market entered a strong growth phase, reaching 2.5 million tons in 2023 and climbing to 3.5 million tons in 2024. This expansion was fueled by persistent demand for specialty products, increased grain imports to offset lower domestic soft wheat yields affected by drought, and positive forecasts for durum wheat production.

Production wheat groats and meal in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's wheat groats and meal production was valued at 917 million US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 28.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 17.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 713 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 187 million US dollars. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 40.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's wheat groats and meal production volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 960 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial decline of 15.1% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 509 thousand tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a drop of 34.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 13.1%.

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

Exports wheat groats and meal from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy exported 118.2 thousand tonnes of wheat groats and meal in 2020, showing a modest increase of 9.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 108.1 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2018 at 138.3 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline happened in 2019, falling by 21.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, up by 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and France were the core markets for Italy's wheat groats and meal exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 32.3% of exports, Belgium for 10.5%, and France for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 51.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's wheat groats and meal exports totaled 68 535 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate gain of 9.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 952 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 15.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, France, and Belgium remained the key destinations for Italy's wheat groats and meal exports in value terms. Germany held a 31.3% share, France 10.3%, and Belgium 9.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 50.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat groats and meal to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy imported a total of [value_last_year] thousand tonnes of wheat groats and meal in 2020, indicating a drop of 32.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, France, and Slovenia formed the main cluster of markets for Italy's wheat groats and meal imports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 29.2% of imports, France for 22.8%, and Slovenia for 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 68.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's wheat groats and meal import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 813 thousand US dollars, up by 25.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 593 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline happened in 2018, falling by 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Austria, France, and Germany consistently held leading positions in Italy's wheat groats and meal import structure in value terms. Austria accounted for 34.6% of imports, France for 18.5%, and Germany for 10.4%. Jointly, these three countries made up 63.5% of total import flows.

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

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