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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market volume for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares in Central Asia grew steadily from 257.8 thousand tonnes to 351.0 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by rising imports of items like dry cookies and sweetened bakery products, alongside an increase in the number of local bakeries and production facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumer behavior, boosting demand for frozen semi-finished and ready-to-eat products, which further stimulated market growth. The launch of local production by international brands, such as PLADIS beginning Biskrem cookie output in Almaty in 2021, intensified competition and diversified the product range available to consumers.

After peaking in 2022, the market volume contracted to 323.0 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting a correction following the previous year's sharp increase. Imports, which had surged to 215.5 thousand tonnes in 2022, declined in 2023 but showed signs of recovery in 2024. Domestic production continued its modest upward trend, reaching 158.4 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by stricter legislation and sanitary requirements governing production and sales, as well as a growing consumer trend towards healthier eating. These factors raised quality standards and influenced the assortment of products offered by manufacturers.

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

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

Central Asia's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 151.0 K t of these goods, marking a 1.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares production in Central Asia fell. In 2020, output was valued at 359.2 M $ US, down 2.8% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 369.3 M $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign supplies of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Central Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 22.8 K t, showing a sharp rise of 27.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 90.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Russia accounted for 28.1% of exports, China for 10.0%, and Mongolia for 6.3%, together making up only 44.3% of total flows. The remaining 55.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Central Asia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 54.3 M $ US of these goods, up 21.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 76.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms. Russia took 21.5% of exports, China 12.0%, and Mongolia 6.5%, together accounting for only 40.0% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares imports into Central Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 149.4 K t, indicating a 10.4% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the dominant source for imports in kind of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Central Asia, accounting for 78.7% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among a number of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, the value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares imports into Central Asia declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 255.6 M $ US, showing only a marginal fluctuation from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 30.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 256.7 M $ US, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was characterized by the predominance of Russia, which absorbed 76.8% of total flows, and by a large number of minor partners.

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

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