Bread market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The bread market in Northern Europe saw its volume grow from 1 362 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 841 thousand tonnes in 2023. A significant increase of 264 thousand tonnes to 1 626 thousand tonnes occurred in 2019, supported by the rising consumer trend for sourdough bread and greater interest in artisanal, quality bakery products. After a contraction to 1 475 thousand tonnes in 2020, the market volume stabilized and edged up to 1 489 thousand tonnes in 2021.

Market volume then surged by 341 thousand tonnes to 1 830 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by strong consumer focus on health and rising demand for whole-grain bread. The growth trend continued in 2023, with volume reaching 1 841 thousand tonnes, as bread's popularity increased markedly with a reported 21% rise in daily consumption since 2019, reinforcing its image as a modern and trendy staple.

Production bread in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern Europe produced 1,151,778 tonnes of bread, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined significantly in 2020 to 817,541 tonnes, representing a 29.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 6.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 34.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, bread production in Northern Europe experienced a downturn. In 2019, output reached its peak value of $7,310 million US dollars, but this dropped to $5,281 million in 2020—a 27.7% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, when production value rose by 33.2%.

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

Exports bread from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, bread exports from Northern Europe declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 680,000 tonnes, but fell to 499,000 tonnes in 2020—a 26.6% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 18.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports rose by 38.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, bread exports from Northern Europe were distributed across numerous destinations. The top three markets—Norway (7.7% of exports), Germany (6.9%), and France (4.5%)—together accounted for just 19.2% of total export volumes. The remaining 80.8% was spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's bread exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached $2,021 million US dollars, showing a modest 1.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 13.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's bread exports in value terms were distributed across a broad range of trading partners. The three largest markets—Norway (8.6% of export value), Germany (7.0%), and France (4.6%)—together represented only 20.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports bread to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Bread imports into Northern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1,156,000 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.1%, with an average annual increase of 3.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, bread imports into Northern Europe came from a diverse range of sources. The three largest suppliers—Germany (18.8% of imports), France (13.0%), and Belgium (8.0%)—together accounted for 39.7% of total import volumes, with the remainder coming from numerous other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bread imports into Northern Europe grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at $4,098 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 15.8%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's bread imports in value terms showed high diversification across source countries. The top three suppliers—Germany (17.5% of import value), France (13.3%), and Belgium (8.8%)—together represented 39.7% of total import flows. The remaining 60.3% came from a long list of smaller markets.

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

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