Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or… (chapter 19): which countries import it
Chapter 19 covers cereals, flour, starch and milk-based preparations: pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, malt extract and similar products. Global imports…
Published on 15 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 19 covers cereals, flour, starch and milk-based preparations: pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, malt extract and similar products. Global imports reached USD 16.1 billion in 2025. Spain ships to the US, Germany, the UK and France. Most products face moderate tariffs in developed markets, though some destination countries apply specific duties on certain items.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 19
- Sector
- Food and Drink
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 16,118,524,239 |
| Germany | 8,597,288,613 |
| United Kingdom | 7,960,724,838 |
| France | 6,449,625,414 |
| China | 6,172,421,001 |
| Canada | 4,565,196,805 |
| Netherlands | 4,546,727,262 |
| Belgium | 3,180,661,644 |
| Italy | 2,732,260,607 |
| Spain | 2,447,462,192 |
| Poland | 2,312,310,816 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2,163,908,312 |
| Austria | 2,087,264,567 |
| Australia | 1,994,064,672 |
| Japan | 1,621,903,102 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Malt extract; flour/groats/meal/starch/malt extract products, no cocoa (or less than 40% by weight) and food preparations of goods of headings 04.01 to 04.04, no cocoa (or less than 5% by weight), weights calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.c.Heading 1901
- Pasta; whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat or other substance, or otherwise prepared, egg spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not preparedHeading 1902
- Tapioca and substitutes therefor prepared from starch; in the form of flakes, grains, pearls, siftings or similar formsHeading 1903
- Prepared foods obtained by swelling or roasting cereals or cereal products (e.g. corn flakes); cereals (other than maize (corn)) in grain form or in the form of flakes or other worked grains (not flour and meal), pre-cooked or otherwise prepared, n.e.c.Heading 1904
- Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar productsHeading 1905
Trade fairs in this sector
- Alimentaria Barcelona
- Anuga
- BIOFACH – World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food
- Fruit Attraction
- Gulfood
- ProWein Düsseldorf
- Salón Gourmets
- SIAL – Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL Paris)
- Summer Fancy Food Show
- Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
What you need to know before you export
Chapter 19 products must comply with food safety standards in the destination market. The EU, US, UK and Canada each have their own regulations on additives, labeling, allergen declaration and traceability. Check requirements per destination before production; certification often takes weeks.
Organic products in this chapter (heading 1904, 1905) may qualify for preferential market access and higher prices in EU and North American retailers, but require organic certification recognized in the destination country. This adds lead time and cost.
Phytosanitary requirements apply if the product contains cereals from third countries. Always request a phytosanitary certificate from your supplier if raw materials cross borders; importing countries check these on entry.
Labeling must include nutrition facts, allergen warnings (gluten, eggs, milk, nuts, etc. as applicable) and ingredient lists in the destination language. Design and translations should be approved before production to avoid delays at customs.
Common questions
Do I need organic certification to export breakfast cereals?
Only if you label them as organic or sell them to organic-focused retailers. Most conventional breakfast cereals (heading 1904) do not require it. However, if your target market is the EU, US or Canada, check the buyer's requirements: many large retailers demand third-party organic certification even for non-organic claims to verify no banned pesticides are present.
Which countries buy the most Spanish chapter 19 products?
Germany, the UK, France, Portugal and Belgium are the largest EU buyers of chapter 19 products globally. Spain's own exports go primarily to these neighbors, plus the US. Building a presence in a neighboring market often costs less than entering distant ones, since logistics, language and regulatory alignment are easier.
How long does phytosanitary clearance take?
If your product contains cereals or derivatives, the importing country may require a phytosanitary certificate. Issuing it takes 3–7 days once your supplier applies; importing country clearance at the port of entry usually adds 1–3 days. Plan for at least 10 days total and include this in your delivery promise to buyers.
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