Flour in 2024: Export from Ukraine, Key Markets, Prices, and Logistics

Flour in 2024: Export from Ukraine, Key Markets, Prices, and Logistics

Flour is one of the key agricultural export products of Ukraine, a country historically known for its rich wheat and grain reserves. Thanks to high quality, competitive prices, and geographical proximity to major consumer markets, Ukrainian flour remains popular on the international market.

In 2024, flour occupies an important place in Ukraine’s export structure. Given the changing geopolitical situation, rising global demand for food products, and stable wheat yields, export figures show positive dynamics.

In this article, we will examine:

• Export routes for flour from Ukraine
• Key importing countries for Ukrainian flour
• Major players in the global flour market
• Price dynamics for flour in 2024
• Logistics aspects of flour transportation
• Development prospects for the flour market in Ukraine

1. Flour Export from Ukraine

Ukraine is one of the largest producers and suppliers of flour in Eastern Europe. The main raw materials for flour production are wheat and rye, which are grown in Ukraine’s key agricultural regions: Vinnytsia, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

In 2024, flour exports from Ukraine are projected to be in the range of 300-350 thousand tons, which is an 8% increase compared to the previous year. The growth in export volumes can be attributed to several factors:

• Increased demand for high-quality flour in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Competitive pricing compared to other exporting countries.
• Stable wheat yields in 2023-2024.

Main export routes for Ukrainian flour:

• Sea transport:
  • Main ports: Odessa, Chornomorsk, Mykolaiv.
  • Share: 70% of flour exports.
• Rail transport:
  • Used for deliveries to European countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania.
  • Share: 20% of flour exports.
• Road transport:
  • Used for delivery to neighboring countries such as Moldova, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
  • Share: 10% of flour exports.

2. Key Importing Countries for Ukrainian Flour

Ukrainian flour is in demand in many countries around the world due to its high quality and competitive price. In 2024, the main importing countries are:

2.1. Asia:

• China: Demand for flour in China increased by 12% due to the development of the food industry.
• Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam: Rising demand is driven by increased consumption of wheat-based products such as noodles and bread.

2.2. Africa:

• Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria: Ukrainian flour is used for making bread, a staple food product.

2.3. Middle East:

• Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE: Steady demand from countries that rely on food imports.

2.4. Europe:

• Poland, Romania, Hungary: These countries use Ukrainian flour for the production of bread and other food products.

3. Major Players in the Global Flour Market

The leading countries in the global flour market are:

Turkey and Kazakhstan remain major exporters due to significant wheat milling capacity and access to high-demand markets.

4. Flour Price Dynamics in 2024

Flour prices in 2024 remain stable with slight fluctuations due to changes in wheat prices, logistics costs, and demand.

The highest prices are observed in regions dependent on flour imports, such as Africa and the Middle East.

5. Flour Export Logistics

Efficient logistics is a key factor for successful flour exports. In 2024, the most commonly used transport modes include:

• Sea transport: for exports to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Rail transport: for neighboring European countries.
• Container shipping: for delivery to Asia and other distant markets.

Main challenges: Increased transportation costs, longer customs clearance times, and high demand for transport services.