Bread market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the bread market volume in Central Asia increased from 108 106 t to 120 135 t. The development of e-commerce in Uzbekistan expanded sales channels for bakery products, while state tax reductions for flour and bread producers encouraged higher output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted household demand for staple foods like bread, and government investment compensation programs supported capacity expansion at baking enterprises.

Market volume growth continued from 2021 to 2023, reaching 153 549 t. Ongoing state support for the agri-industrial sector, including investment subsidies and tax benefits, facilitated production increases. The import substitution trend in Kazakhstan focused the market on domestic consumption, and the entry of new players alongside the expansion of niche segments such as gluten-free and artisanal bread attracted additional consumer demand.

Production bread in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Bread production in Central Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 59 998 tonnes of bread, representing a 1.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Exports bread from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Bread exports from Central Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 9 284 tonnes, showing a significant year-over-year rise of 13.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 179.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 40.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Central Asian bread exports in volume terms were Russia (24.0% of exports), Mongolia (13.2%), and China (3.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 40.3% of total bread exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Bread exports from Central Asia have grown in value for the third year running. In 2020, export revenues totaled 23.0 million US dollars, marking a substantial 20.6% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of exports rose by 76.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 20.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Russia (15.8% of export value), Mongolia (7.9%), and China (1.5%) remained the primary buyers of Central Asian bread in monetary terms. Collectively, these three markets represented 25.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports bread to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Bread imports into Central Asia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of value_last_year tonnes of bread, which is 14.2% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes increased by 52.3%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the dominant source for bread imports into Central Asia in volume terms, accounting for 81.2% of total imports. All other markets combined made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bread imports into Central Asia have increased in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, import expenditures reached 130.9 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.2% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of imports grew by 44.7%, which equates to an average annual rate of 13.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Russia maintained its leading position in Central Asia's bread import market in value terms, with a 76.2% share of total import value. Other markets held relatively smaller shares.

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

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