Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares in Central America declined from $1.65 billion in 2018 to $1.25 billion in 2019. This reduction occurred alongside the growing export success of the Costa Rican bakery industry, which recorded $90 million in fine bakery product exports, redirecting supply toward international markets and away from domestic consumption. Market volume stabilized at $1.23 billion in 2020 as local pastry businesses like Dulza Pastelería implemented marketing strategies to maintain operations during the pandemic.

A sharp contraction to $608 million followed in 2021. During this period, the sector reported increased gross production and export value for specific categories such as other food preparations (34.6%) and sweet biscuits (26.6%). High international demand for Costa Rican products, evidenced by 138 business opportunities at a virtual Buyers Trade Mission, further intensified export orientation, limiting domestic availability. A partial recovery to $828 million in 2022 and growth to $915 million in 2023 marked a return to expansion.

By 2024, industry focus shifted toward innovation and professionalization. Puratos inaugurated a new Innovation Center and R&D lab in Costa Rica to train over 200 clients monthly, while events like Taste Tomorrow 2024 and Expoalimentaria highlighted technological trends and facilitated networking among suppliers and manufacturers, strengthening the sector's competitive landscape.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Central America

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

In Central America, 754.0 thousand tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares were produced in 2020, marking a 10.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 11.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The output of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Central America was valued at 2 313 million US dollars in 2020, up 7.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 530 million US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019, falling by 15.1%, while the biggest increase was also in 2018, rising by 27.1%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Central America increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 603.1 thousand tons, showing a modest gain of 9.9% over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 460.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic were the main markets for exports in kind. The United States accounted for 63.9% of exports, Canada for 2.3%, and the Dominican Republic for 1.7%. Together, these three countries represented 67.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Central America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central America exported 1 850 million US dollars worth of these goods, a 7.4% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States played a leading role in the value of exports from Central America, holding a 74.6% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America imported 182.6 thousand tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, a decline of 11.4% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 206.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 7.0%.

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

The partner structure for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. The United States accounted for 24.5% of imports, Canada for 4.7%, and Peru for 3.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 33.1% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After rising for two years, Central America's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 770 million US dollars, indicating a moderate decrease of 6.4% compared to the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 823 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and Peru were the largest suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Central America in value terms. The United States held a 33.2% share, Canada 7.0%, and Peru 2.9%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 43.0% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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