Bread market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian bread market grew from $3.48 billion in 2018 to $4.03 billion in 2020, driven by the adaptation of products to local consumer tastes, which boosted demand across the region. This period also saw increased demand for individual pastries and viennoiseries, alongside a rise in organic-certified bakeries, particularly in urban areas, contributing to market expansion.

Following a modest decline to $3.91 billion in 2021, the market recovered to $4.25 billion by 2023. This growth was supported by a strong consumer shift towards premium and healthy options, such as alternative grain and organic breads, which gained significant popularity. The trend towards brunch formulas, fusion food, and artisanal products helped increase market value even as overall bread consumption faced downward pressure, with snacking products partially offsetting the decline.

Evolving preferences for fresh, artisanal, and exotic breads with a focus on health and wellness continued to shape the market. The expansion of special bread varieties, including whole grain, rye, and gluten-free options, alongside the 'made locally' trend, reinforced demand for higher-value offerings, sustaining market growth through 2023.

Production bread in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Bread production in Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 361.1 K t of bread, marking an 8.2% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of bread output in Asia was 1 446 M $ US, representing a significant 10.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 2.1%, with a CAGR of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 241 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 620 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 30.5%.

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

Exports bread from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia exported 893 K t of bread in 2020, showing a sharp 31.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 36.4%, with a CAGR of 10.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 21.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 32.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States (7.0% of exports in kind), Australia (3.4% of exports in kind), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (2.1% of exports in kind) were among the largest buyers of bread from Asia. However, together they accounted for just 12.5% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, bread exports from Asia amounted to 3 578 M $ US, up by 8.1% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017–2020, exports increased by 12.1%, with a CAGR of 3.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 5.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, bread exports from Asia in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. The United States (9.2% of exports in value terms), Australia (3.9% of exports in value terms), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.1% of exports in value terms) jointly accounted for only 16.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bread to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia imported approximately 826 K t of bread in 2020, which is 8.7% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.3%, with a CAGR of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 659 K t, and the highest was in 2019 at 904 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 37.1%.

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

The analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Russia (5.8% of imports in kind), the United States (5.7% of imports in kind), and Italy (1.7% of imports in kind) together accounted for only 13.3% of total flows, with a significant 86.7% falling on other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's volume of bread imports has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 828 M $ US, up by 5.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, the role of the United States (7.7% of imports in value terms), Russia (3.2% of imports in value terms), and France (2.6% of imports in value terms) as suppliers of bread to Asia was notable but not dominant. Their joint share reached only 13.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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