30.09.2026
Cereals are a product with a long turnover and storage cycle, but they cannot be described as ‘eternal’. We have brought together some information for you on how to store cereals correctly and for as long as possible: storage times, rules and methods. Well-organised storage of groats will help businesspeople plan their bulk purchases, logistics and delivery schedules. It will also help consumers and housewives to ensure the safety of their food supplies.
Let’s take a look at how long different types of grains can be stored for. Save this table for future reference.
| Groats |
Expiration date |
Notes |
| Buckwheat groats |
up to 20 months |
Storage – in an airtight package. The main enemies of buckwheat are moisture, insects and foreign smells. Therefore, if the groats are in an open package next to coffee, spices or other strongly fragrant products for a long time, they may gradually absorb their smell. And if the humidity in the cupboard is too high, the product may become moisture-damaged and lose their flavour and valuable properties |
| Green buckwheat (unroasted) |
up to 12 months |
The ideal humidity is up to 60–70 per cent, and the temperature should not exceed +20 °C (a cooler temperature of between +5 and +15 °C is preferable). Green buckwheat is ‘live’ and more sensitive to moisture than ordinary brown buckwheat |
| Polished rice |
16 – 18 months |
|
| Brown/wild rice |
6 – 8 months |
Unpolished rice has a shorter shelf life as it contains less natural fat |
| Oat flakes |
up to 12 months |
They do not like moisture and absorb it quite easily from the air; they serve as attractions for insects. Therefore, after opening Therefore, once the factory-sealed packaging has been opened, the shelf life is up to 4 months. |
| Millet |
6 – 9 months |
It is a good idea to check millet regularly for any off-odours. As it contains fats, the product may go rancid if stored incorrectly or for too long |
| Semolina and maize groats |
9 - 11 months |
Store exclusively in airtight packaging |
| Pearl barley, barley groats |
12 – 15 months |
Suitable for long-term storage |
| Pulses (peas, beans, lentils) |
15 – 24 months |
Should be stored in a dry place, in a well-ventilated container |
So, cereals are convenient because they do not require difficult storage conditions, do not take up much space and can remain usable for a long time. The expiration date is always stated on the packaging of the product, but it depends not only on the type of cereal, but also on the manufacturing technology, the product’s moisture content, the packaging and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
High humidity can lead to the formation of lumps, a musty smell or other signs of damage.
High storage temperatures (or temperature changes) can have a negative impact on product quality. This is particularly true of crops that contain higher levels of natural fats such as oats and oat flakes, millet, buckwheat, brown rice, maize groats and quinoa. However, cereal products must not be stored in cellars, storerooms or on unheated balconies. The cold and high humidity will cause them to go off quickly.
Type of packaging. Undamaged, airtight and unperforated packaging provides the best guarantee that the product’s quality will be preserved.
Degree of processingи. Polished and steamed groats have a longer shelf life than whole grains because the fatty coating has been removed.
The enemy of grains is insects. If you found bugs, larvae or fine strands of cobweb in your grains, it is not enough simply to throw away the infected grains. You must check your entire stock of bulk products near the contaminated package.
And, of course, a good method of practice is to organise your food using the FIFO principle (the first in is the first out).
