Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares in Africa grew from 1.2 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 1.4 million tonnes in 2021. This expansion was initially supported by rising advertising investments in several African markets, notably in Ghana, which helped promote bakery products and stimulate consumer demand.

After 2021, the market contracted, falling to 1.2 million tonnes by 2023. This decline coincided with the removal of subsidies on essential goods in Algeria, which led to a sharp increase in bread prices and reduced consumption. At the same time, consumer preferences across the continent were evolving toward more practical and healthier options, such as fruit snacks and snack bars, reshaping demand within the bakery segment.

By 2024, the rapid growth of e-commerce in Africa, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area's digital trade protocol, began to facilitate online distribution and sales of food products, including bakery items.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

Production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Africa has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, Africa produced 1 038 thousand tons of these products, marking a 9.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 847 thousand tons. That year also saw the smallest decline of 0.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 11.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Africa reached 3 497 million US dollars, up 12.0% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 124 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 911 million US dollars. The most significant decline happened in 2019 with a 20.1% drop, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 20.3% rise.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Africa's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, exports totaled 90.8 thousand tons, a decrease of 7.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 37.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 98.1 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 24.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind remained highly fragmented. Saudi Arabia accounted for 2.6% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 2.1%, and Jordan for 1.9%, with these three countries together representing only 6.6% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 305.9 million US dollars, down 5.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 381.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 51.5% rise.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Saudi Arabia contributed 4.4% of exports, Jordan 3.1%, and Yemen 2.8%, with these three countries together accounting for just 10.2% of total flows. No country established a clearly dominant position in the export market during this time.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Africa fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 332.2 thousand tons, a 5.7% decrease compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 429.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 27.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Africa were widely dispersed across partner countries. India accounted for 20.0% of imports, Turkey for 12.5%, and Brazil for 7.0%, with these three countries together representing only 39.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Africa declined. In 2020, Africa imported these goods valued at 676.6 million US dollars, showing a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 676.6 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 8.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Africa were spread across many countries. Turkey accounted for 11.1% of imports, India for 10.6%, and France for 6.9%, with these three countries jointly representing only 28.6% of total flows.

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

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