Wheat milling grew in 2023, indicates Abitrigo

The compilation of data regarding wheat milling in Brazil carried out by the Brazilian Wheat Industry Association – Abitrigo concluded that, in 2023, the country showed a growth of 2% in relation to the volume of wheat milled in the previous year. In total, 12,81 million tons of cereal were processed in 147 industrial plants.

“This edition of the survey had a high degree of participation from Brazilian mills, which contributed 90,5% of the values ​​calculated. The total grinding volume of all mills, both associated and not associated with Abitrigo and those estimated, showed an increase of 250.888 tons”, explains the executive president of Abitrigo, Rubens Barbosa (in the picture).

According to the survey, three new plants came into operation in 2023, accounting for a greater number of active mills in Brazil, when compared to last year.

The research also showed that, in 2023, flour extraction was 76% and, of this amount, the majority of flour (36,1%) was destined for “Breadmaking and pre-mixes”, followed by “Pasta industry” (13,2%), “1kg packaging” (12,7%) and “Cookie industry” (10,1%). Furthermore, the survey also found that São Paulo is the state that most allocates its production to the state itself. Paraná is the region that most allocates its production to other units of the federation.

In general, companies allocate an average of 88% of their milling to selling products to the market and only 12% to the integration of pasta and biscuits.

Grinding in Brazil

The survey promoted by Abitrigo also provided an overview of milling in the states and regions of Brazil. The total sample comprises 112 companies, which together account for 147 milling plants and illustrates the regional distribution of mills and their respective grinding, expressed in tons and percentages in relation to the total.

Paraná continues to be the state with the largest number of milling plants - 44 in total - and also as the state with the highest percentage of milling in Brazil, totaling 30% of the national volume, which represents approximately 3.828.185 tons.

Next is Rio Grande do Sul, with 38 plants and crushing of 2.170.986 tons, representing 17% of national crushing. São Paulo is the third state in terms of grinding plants, with 15 installed and a volume of 1.596.973 tons, which represents 12% of the total. Santa Catarina follows, with 13 plants and an estimated volume of 606.320 tons, representing 5% of the wheat milled in the country.

The Central-West region and the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais together have 17 grinding plants and represent 11% of national crushing, with 1.372.398 tons. The North and Northeast regions, together, have 20 milling plants and represent 25% of the wheat ground in Brazil, with 3.241.946 tons.

“Abitrigo’s Milling Research is an important reference for the production of wheat flour in the country. Using it, we can work together with our associates to make decisions relevant to this link in the wheat chain, ensuring more assertive results for the milling industry and the food security of the Brazilian population”, concludes Barbosa.