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

Earlier Report Observations

The Belarusian market for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits expanded from 201.0 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 223.5 thousand tonnes in 2020. This growth was supported by the adoption of modern freezing and preservation technologies for export-oriented production and a significant broadening of the product range, including the introduction of around 100 dietary and therapeutic varieties. State-owned milling combines ensured a stable raw material base for the industry during this period.

After a slight softening to 222.9 thousand tonnes in 2021, which coincided with an increase in the number of bakery businesses and the emergence of new segments like frozen semi-finished products, the market contracted to 210.7 thousand tonnes in 2022. This decline followed the introduction of state price regulation on bakery goods in October 2022. The market recovered to 214.1 thousand tonnes in 2023, driven by new investment projects such as SOAO Kommunarka's confectionery production line and the expansion of product assortments with new types of cookies and gingerbread.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus ranked as the 28th largest global producer of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares.

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 Belarus grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 169.1 thousand tonnes, a modest increase of 2.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 157.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares produced in Belarus was 224.1 million US dollars, down by 2.4% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 2.9%, with an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 215.5 million US dollars, marking the largest decline of 6.6%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 6.5%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Belarus increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 25 189 tonnes, a slight rise of 1.5% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 24 493 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary market for Belarusian exports in volume terms, accounting for 87.3% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belarus exported 33.4 million US dollars worth of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, a moderate decline of 3.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 7.2%, with an average annual drop of 2.5%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 7.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia consistently represented 82.1% of Belarus's total export value for these goods, highlighting a strong reliance on this market. The remainder was spread across other countries.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Belarus grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume was 79 575 tonnes, showing little change from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the dominant source for imports in volume terms, making up 73.3% of total flows into Belarus. The rest was shared among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Belarus declined in 2020. The value stood at 133.0 million US dollars, a drop of 4.7% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 24.2%, averaging an annual increase of 7.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 139.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the main market for imports in value terms, accounting for 70.7% of total imports into Belarus. Other destinations contributed smaller shares.

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

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