Bread market in Belarus, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the bread market volume in Belarus increased from 16 900 t to 27 997 t, a rise of 66%. This expansion occurred within a state-dominated landscape, where entities like the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Minskhlebprom, and Belkoopsoyuz controlled the market with low competition. During these years, the industry actively developed technologies to extend bread shelf life, which supported growing export shipments, particularly of frozen bread to Russia.

A turning point came in 2022 when the market volume fell to 23 364 t and further to 22 671 t in 2023. This contraction was driven by the sanctions war and a global spike in wheat prices, which constrained imports and raised costs. Simultaneously, exports of Belarusian bread jumped by 40% in 2022, reaching 15 countries including China, reducing the volume available domestically. Additionally, retail chains expanded their own in-store baking, reducing reliance on traditional industrial bakeries.

In 2023 and into 2024, the trends of rising exports and declining domestic demand persisted, as consumer preferences shifted away from bread. State-owned producers maintained their dominance while innovating with new product varieties like steamed bread and extruded snacks. The market remained saturated with moderate price increases, and the focus on export opportunities continued to shape the industry's direction.

Production bread in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Bread production in Belarus has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,975 tons of bread, marking a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bread production in Belarus has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,478 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight uptick of 1.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,324 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 4.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports bread from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

Bread exports from Belarus have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 17,758 tons, showing a small increase of 1.9% from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 16,589 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.9%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 5.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bread exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Russia, which accounted for 92.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bread shipments from Belarus to abroad have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belarus exported 22,277 thousand US dollars worth of bread, equivalent to a 1.3% increase over the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 20,912 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 5.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bread from Belarus was primarily shipped to Russia, which absorbed 90.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports bread to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

Imported bread volumes in Belarus have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 40,184 tons of bread, indicating a moderate uptick of 7.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 49.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, holding a share of 79.7% of total flows, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bread import volumes in Belarus have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 70,202 thousand US dollars, constituting a small rise of 1.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 39.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was strongly focused on Russia, whose share reached 73.1% of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

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