Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The market for bread, pastry, and bakers' wares in Côte d'Ivoire remained stable around 76 000 t in 2018 and 2019. Growth began in 2020 when the volume jumped to 90 851 t and reached 94 121 t in 2021. This expansion was driven by the entry of Puratos Côte d’Ivoire, a joint venture that started local production of bakery and pastry powders in April 2020, increasing the availability of ingredients and supporting output. The following year, local manufacturers sought distribution partnerships across Africa, indicating sustained market dynamism and demand.

Market volume contracted to 90 974 t in 2022 and fell further to 82 549 t in 2023. The initial decline coincided with a sector crisis and a strike launched by the bakers' and pastry-makers' association in February 2022, which disrupted operations. Despite ongoing efforts to promote the use of local flours like cassava and plantain, the industry faced headwinds during this period.

Throughout the review years, the sector was characterized by the gradual integration of local flours, with hundreds of bakers trained in their use. The market is fragmented, dominated by over 2 000 bakeries, half located in Abidjan. To provide stronger oversight, the government formally installed the Comité national de suivi de la filière blé/farine-pain in 2024.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, 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 Côte d'Ivoire, production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares reached 76 123 tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 20.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 20.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The smallest change occurred in 2019, when production remained essentially stable.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares from Côte d'Ivoire declined in 2020. The country exported 3 497 tonnes that year, representing a sharp 27.3% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 12%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 4.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 809 tonnes, while the strongest growth occurred in 2018 with an 11.5% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Mali and Burkina Faso were clearly the dominant export partners for Côte d'Ivoire's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares, with all other countries combined accounting for the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares totaled 3 561 thousand US dollars, down 51.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 290 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 155.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Mali remained the primary destination for Côte d'Ivoire's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares exports, accounting for 74.2% of total export value, while the remaining value was distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares into Côte d'Ivoire increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country imported approximately 18 225 tonnes that year, showing a moderate 3.1% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (33.4% of imports in volume), Iran (19.4%), and Thailand (13.9%) were the main sources for Côte d'Ivoire's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares, together accounting for 66.7% of total import volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Côte d'Ivoire's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import value totaled 17 021 thousand US dollars that year, representing an 11.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, France (33.0% of import value), Turkey (19.9%), and Iran (9.6%) accounted for the largest shares of Côte d'Ivoire's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares, together comprising 62.5% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020