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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Danish market for bread and bakery products underwent significant changes in its structure and value. Physical production volume gradually declined from 313 thousand tons to 288 thousand tons, while the production value increased from $815 million to $874 million, indicating a shift towards higher-value items. The total market size followed this trend, growing in value from $812 million to $915 million, despite more moderate growth in volume, which peaked at 396 thousand tons in 2023 before a slight correction.

Trade flows expanded substantially, with imports and exports rising in both volume and value over the period. The year 2022 was pivotal, marked by strategic moves from key players. Meyers bolstered its quality and efficiency by moving production to new facilities in Copenhagen and Tranbjerg. Concurrently, Hatting's sale of its fresh-bread plant to Kohberg and launch of new fresh wheat bread varieties signaled a broader industry shift from frozen to fresh products. Regulatory approval for discount stores to market bake-off bread as 'Freshly Baked' altered marketing dynamics and likely stimulated demand in that segment.

The competitive landscape was reshaped by the simultaneous expansion of luxury bakery chains and intense pressure from discounters and gas stations offering bake-off bread. This polarization, coupled with the 2022 inflation crisis and the growing penetration of private-label products, influenced consumer spending patterns and intensified competition for traditional bakeries and packaged bread brands throughout the observed years.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Denmark's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares saw an increase. In 2021, output was valued at 792.2 million US dollars, marking a 3.2% rise compared to 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 767.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 4.3%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 2.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark ranked as the 17th largest global producer of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by volume, solidifying its position among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2018-2021

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2018-2021

Denmark's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output stood at 302.2 thousand tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 3.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

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

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Denmark's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares totaled 103.0 thousand tonnes, showing a slight increase of 0.9% from 2020. Exports peaked in 2019 at 104.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline recorded in 2020 at 2.6% and the largest increase in 2019 at 5.1%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 3.2%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Norway, and Sweden were the core markets for Denmark's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by volume. Germany accounted for 23.3% of exports, Norway for 13.7%, and Sweden for 13.5%, together representing 50.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of reduction, Denmark's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased. In 2021, exports reached 398.3 million US dollars, up by 9.3% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 364.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2020 at 3.4%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Denmark's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany led with 18.8% of exports, followed by the United States at 13.0%, and Sweden at 10.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 42.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

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

Imports in kind, K t

Denmark's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 157.8 thousand tonnes, a 7.4% rise compared to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 145.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline also in 2019 at 0.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 8.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Denmark's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by volume. Germany contributed 40.1% of imports, Sweden 19.4%, and the Netherlands 9.2%, collectively accounting for 68.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Denmark's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 449.4 million US dollars, marking a notable 13.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 18.5%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Denmark in value terms. Germany accounted for 34.2% of imports, Sweden for 22.1%, and the Netherlands for 9.7%, together representing 66.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021