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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares in the GCC region showed notable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Consumption peaked at 441.3 thousand tons in 2019 before contracting sharply to 287.6 thousand tons in 2020. A sustained recovery followed, with the market expanding to 325.1 thousand tons in 2022 and reaching 351.1 thousand tons by 2023.

This movement was accompanied by changes in local production and trade flows. Domestic output declined from 207.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 170.4 thousand tons in 2020, then partially recovered to 186.9 thousand tons in 2023. Imports remained high, exceeding 440 thousand tons annually, while exports rose significantly after 2019, peaking at 362.6 thousand tons in 2021, which affected the net volume available on the domestic market.

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

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

Production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in the GCC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 170.4 K t, reflecting a significant year-over-year decrease of 11.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 207.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 29.9%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the GCC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 317.5 K t, marking a sharp rise of 60.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 13.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 197.5 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.3%.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Yemen accounted for 9.1% of exports in kind, Jordan for 7.2%, and Iraq for 4.7%, together representing just 21.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the GCC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 934 M $ US, corresponding to a moderate advance of 6.0% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 45.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the GCC were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Jordan, Yemen, and Iraq—together represented only 15.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to the GCC declined. In 2020, imports reached 434.7 K t, showing a reduction of 2.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 446.3 K t, with the largest increase of 38.8% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares were imported to the GCC from many countries. Even the largest sources—Turkey, India, and the United States—together represented only 18.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

GCC imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 1 776 M $ US, representing a limited rise of 4.8% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares were supplied to the GCC from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—the United States, Turkey, and Italy—together represented only 19.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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