Bread market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The bread market in Western Asia expanded in value from 905 million US dollars in 2018 to 1 326 million US dollars in 2023. This growth was not uniform, with a notable increase in 2019, followed by further expansion in 2020, a contraction in 2021, and strong rebounds in 2022 and 2023.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to supply chain disruptions and rising flour prices, which increased production costs. Despite these challenges, bread remained a staple, supporting market value. In 2021, continued supply chain issues and higher costs for flour, electricity, and labor pressured producers, contributing to a temporary dip in market size, though government flour subsidies helped moderate price increases.

From 2022 onward, persistent inflation and raw material cost pressures drove up bread prices, boosting the market's nominal value. Consumer preferences also shifted towards healthier and artisanal breads, influencing product offerings. In Turkey, a key market, authorities introduced mandatory price approval processes in 2023 to control volatility, while also enforcing hygienic production standards and addressing labor shortages in bakeries.

Production bread in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bread, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, 2017-2020

Bread production in Western Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2019, output remained virtually unchanged at 62,601 tonnes, and this level was maintained in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 163.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 38.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2019, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 2.9 times. In 2019, bread output in Western Asia reached its highest value at 569.0 million US dollars, but in 2020, it declined slightly to 559.9 million US dollars, a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 113.5%.

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

Exports bread from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, bread exports from Western Asia rebounded. In 2019, export volume hit a low of 182.2 thousand tonnes, but in 2020, it rose sharply to 268.5 thousand tonnes, a 47.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 27.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of bread from Western Asia included the United States, accounting for 5.2% of exports in kind, Germany at 2.7%, and Romania at 1.4%. However, their combined share was only 9.4% of total exports, with the remaining 90.6% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Bread exports from Western Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 1,040 million US dollars, up 2.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 7.2% of exports in value, Germany for 2.5%, and the United Kingdom for 1.1%, together representing 10.8% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 89.2%.

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

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

Imports bread to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, bread imports into Western Asia declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 468.2 thousand tonnes, but in 2020, they fell to 449.6 thousand tonnes, a 4.0% reduction from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 49.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 36.6%.

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

The structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Iran accounted for 8.1% of imports in kind, the United States for 5.3%, and India for 2.9%, together making up just 16.3% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bread imports into Western Asia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value was recorded at 1,590 million US dollars, a modest increase of 7.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 8.3% of imports in value, Iran for 4.9%, and Belgium for 4.8%, together representing 18.0% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 82.0%.

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

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