Market research

Bread market in Eastern Asia

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Eastern Asia" region includes following countries:

China

Hong Kong

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Macao

Mongolia

Earlier Report Observations

The bread market in Eastern Asia experienced significant value fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 756 million USD in 2018, market size contracted to 667 million USD in 2020, then expanded to a high of 757 million USD in 2022 before dropping to 694 million USD in 2023. Production mirrored this pattern, falling to 459 million USD in 2019 before recovering to 592 million USD in 2022 and then declining to 540 million USD in 2023.

In 2024, regulatory developments set the stage for a change in product formulation. Chinese authorities finalized the food safety standard GB 2760‑2024, which removes dehydroacetic acid and its sodium salt from the list of permitted additives in bread, effective February 2025. Major producers, including Taoli Bread, began phasing out the additive from their recipes during 2024, and local market regulators issued detailed implementation guidelines.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production bread in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Bread production in Eastern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 46 901 tons of bread, marking a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.7%	0.4%	7.2%	5.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of bread output in Eastern Asia reached 165.8 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 9.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 17.5%, with an annualized rate of 5.5%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when it dropped by 0.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.3%	(0.9%)	9.5%	5.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports bread from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Bread exports from Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 346.8 thousand tons of bread, up 1.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.5%, averaging an annual increase of 5.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.2%	5.0%	1.5%	5.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's bread exports reached a variety of markets. Even the top destinations—the United States, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Australia—combined accounted for just 18.2% of total export volume, highlighting the broad distribution of shipments.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Bread exports from Eastern Asia have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 1 226 million US dollars, a 3.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 17.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.8%	3.6%	3.6%	5.6%

Source: SHEV.io

The export partner structure in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. The United States (12.1% of export value), Asia (not elsewhere specified) (6.4%), and Australia (3.0%) together made up only 21.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports bread to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia's bread import volume was 312.4 thousand tons, a 2.4% rise from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 305.0 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 322.4 thousand tons. The largest decline happened in 2019, dropping by 5.4%, whereas the biggest increase was in 2018, up 2.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.6%	(5.4%)	2.4%	(0.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, bread imports to Eastern Asia came from a wide range of partner countries. Malaysia (11.0% of import volume), the United States (8.3%), and Vietnam (6.6%) together represented just 25.9% of total imports, indicating a highly diversified supply base.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, bread import volumes in Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 1 419 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 423 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 9.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.0%	0.8%	(0.3%)	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of bread imports in value terms was highly diversified. Malaysia (10.2% of import value), the United States (8.6%), and Asia (not elsewhere specified) (5.0%) together accounted for only 23.8% of total flows, with the remaining 76.2% spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io