Market research

Bread market in the United Kingdom

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The UK bread market volume grew consistently from 522 thousand tons in 2018 to 611 thousand tons in 2020. This upward trend was interrupted in 2021 when the market contracted sharply to 501 thousand tons.

A strong recovery followed in 2022, with volume rebounding to 605 thousand tons. This resurgence was driven by evolving consumer preferences, including rising demand for gluten-free, wholemeal, and plant-based breads. Manufacturers stimulated the market further by launching new fortified bread varieties with high-protein flour blends, catering to health-conscious shoppers. While the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted global wheat supplies and increased prices, the UK market maintained volume growth through adjusted import flows.

Market expansion continued at a more moderate rate in 2023, with volume reaching 625 thousand tons, signaling a return to stable growth after the post-2021 recovery.

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 kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Kingdom
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
3. 5.3. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.3.1. Global Production by Country in kind
    1. 5.3.1.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
    2. 5.3.1.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
    3. 5.3.1.3. 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 the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom ranked 27th globally in bread production volume.

Top producers of bread, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of bread, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 25 K t of bread, marking a modest decline of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 17.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 15.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020, at 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.6%)	1.9%	(4.3%)	(6.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports bread from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of bread from the United Kingdom declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 229.1 K t, reflecting a moderate decrease of 3.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 248.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 4.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.3%	(4.2%)	(3.7%)	(2.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Ireland, France, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 55.8% of total bread exports in kind from the United Kingdom.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, the United Kingdom's bread export volume increased. In 2021, the country exported 708 M $ US of bread, constituting a moderate uptick of 6.3% versus the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 5.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 666 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.9%)	(0.2%)	6.3%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland (40.2% of exports in value terms), France (9.2% of exports in value terms), and the Netherlands (6.3% of exports in value terms) were the largest buyers of bread from the United Kingdom, together forming 55.8% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports bread to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year gain, imported bread volumes in the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, imports were recorded at 705.4 K t, which is 14.3% less year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 822.7 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.0%	2.5%	(14.3%)	(1.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets—Ireland, France, and Germany—remained central to imports in kind, together taking 54.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year gain, the United Kingdom's bread imports declined. In 2021, the country imported 2 157 M $ US of bread, equivalent to a decrease of 3.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 7.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 234 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.1%	2.0%	(3.5%)	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2018 to 2021, France (19.5% of imports in value terms), Ireland (17.1% of imports in value terms), and Germany (13.8% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 50.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io