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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bakery products in Eastern Asia declined from 452 thousand tons in 2018 to 387 thousand tons in 2020, with its value decreasing from 1.9 billion US dollars to 1.8 billion US dollars over the same period.

A recovery began in 2021, lifting the market to 409 thousand tons and 1.9 billion US dollars, supported by rising consumer demand and product diversification, including the development of the frozen bakery segment. The introduction of the Anti-Food Waste Law in 2022 further influenced the market, prompting manufacturers to optimize operations and adopt volume-driven pricing strategies to reduce waste, which helped maintain value growth despite a slight dip in physical volume.

In 2023, the market expanded sharply to 465 thousand tons, valued at 2.3 billion US dollars. This surge was driven by technological advancements such as automated production and improved cold chain logistics, which enhanced efficiency and product quality. Concurrently, product innovation, particularly in the Chinese pastry segment, coupled with active promotion through digital channels, attracted new consumers and broadened the market.

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

Eastern 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 316.4 thousand tons, marking a modest 2.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Eastern Asia reached 1 076 million US dollars, up 4.2% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 3.7%, averaging 1.2% per year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 033 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 083 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% decrease, and the largest gain was in 2018 with a 4.3% rise.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Eastern Asia have expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 420.4 thousand tons, a 1.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.6%, translating to an average annual rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in volume terms was highly diversified. The United States (10.1% of exports), the Philippines (4.6%), and Australia (3.6%) combined accounted for only 18.4% of total flows, with the remaining 81.6% spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Eastern Asia have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 1 430 million US dollars, showing a slight 2.3% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20%, averaging 6.3% per year.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diverse range of partners. The United States (11.4% of exports), Asia not elsewhere specified (5.8%), and Australia (3.0%) together made up just 20.2% of total flows, while the remaining 79.8% was distributed among many smaller markets.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Eastern Asia have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 490.6 thousand tons, a 1.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 2.6%, with an average annual drop of 0.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 515.4 thousand tons. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 3.7% fall, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 2.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume terms were spread across a wide array of markets. Indonesia (16.1% of imports), Malaysia (9.9%), and the United States (5.6%) together accounted for only 31.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, import value totaled 2 121 million US dollars, down 2.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.6%, averaging 1.2% per year. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 178 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 6.0% gain.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were distributed across a broad set of partner countries. Indonesia (11.7% of imports), Malaysia (9.2%), and the United States (6.4%) jointly represented just 27.3% of total flows.

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

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