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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for baked goods in France expanded significantly, reaching 276 thousand tons in 2020. The initial growth was supported by rising demand for organic products, with organic biscuit sales growing by 12.9% in volume in 2018, and a consumer shift toward fewer but higher-value purchases.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021 and 2022, with volume dropping to 187 thousand tons in 2022. High inflation during this period led consumers to trade down within their baskets, favoring retailer brands and impacting overall market volume, while manufacturers like Ferrero strengthened their position through acquisitions and new product launches such as Nutella Biscuits.

The market recovered to 224 thousand tons in 2023, aided by capacity investments from manufacturers like Saint Michel Biscuits and Biscuiterie de l’Abbaye. Consumer preference for quality, authenticity, and low-sugar options sustained demand, with the market also influenced by rising raw material and energy costs. In 2024, the introduction of new production lines and stricter sugar content regulations continued to shape the market landscape.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France held the 26th position globally in the production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares.

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 2020, France produced 195.6 K t of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, showing little change from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 203.5 K t, then dropped to its lowest point in 2019 at 194.8 K t, with the largest annual decline of 4.3% occurring that year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.9%, averaging an annual decline of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in France was valued at 671.8 M $ US, up 7.8% from 2019. The largest annual increase of 9.9% was recorded in 2018, while the largest decline of 7.0% occurred in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from France declined in 2020 after two years of growth. In 2020, exports totaled 705.7 K t, down 5.1% from 2019, when they reached their peak of 744.0 K t with a 3.5% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium were the main destinations for France's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 17.2% of exports, Germany for 17.1%, and Belgium for 16.2%, together making up 50.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from France increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 424 M $ US, a 1.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany were the largest buyers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from France. The United Kingdom contributed 17.4% of export value, Belgium 15.3%, and Germany 14.7%, totaling 47.3% of exports, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into France increased for the second straight year in 2020, reaching 786.3 K t, a 1.9% rise from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 734.5 K t, with a 2.3% decline that year, while the largest increase of 5.1% occurred in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Italy were the top suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to France in volume terms. Germany accounted for 24.9% of imports, Belgium for 21.7%, and Italy for 14.8%, together representing 61.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 2 509 M $ US, up 5.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Italy remained the principal suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to France. Germany contributed 21.4% of import value, Belgium 21.1%, and Italy 19.7%, totaling 62.1% of imports.

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

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