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

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek market for bakery and pastry products began the period at 74 476 tons in 2018, facing headwinds from a prolonged economic recession and high taxation that discouraged sector investment. In 2019, volume remained nearly stable at 74 121 tons as producers contended with significant pressure from rising prices of basic raw materials and energy costs. Despite continuing cost challenges, the market expanded to 76 592 tons in 2020.

Market volume then contracted to 72 758 tons in 2021, driven by availability and price issues for key inputs like sunflower oil and wheat. The decline accelerated to 67 775 tons in 2022, coinciding with new European regulations on steviol glycosides in bakery products and growing consumer emphasis on health-oriented offerings. A sharp drop to 56 854 tons followed in 2023, as persistent supply and cost challenges for basic raw materials continued to strain the industry.

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

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

After two years of decline, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares production in Greece increased. In 2020, Greece produced 49 K t of these products, marking a 0.9% rise from 2019. The minimum production level was recorded in 2019 at 49 K t, with the largest decline of 11.3% occurring that year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 19.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Greece's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, exports totaled 45 566 t, showing no significant change from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 732 t, with the largest increase of 33.6% occurring in 2018. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 43.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Greece's exports in kind was diversified. Bulgaria accounted for 13.3% of exports, Cyprus for 13.0%, and Germany for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 37.1% of total export flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares shipments from Greece abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece exported 139.2 M $ US of these products, up by 3.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 49.8%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 14.4%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, Cyprus was the largest buyer of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Greece in value terms, accounting for 13.0% of exports. The United States followed with 10.8%, and Bulgaria with 10.5%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 34.3% of total export value, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares imports into Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 73 103 t, showing a 2.6% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Greece were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Germany accounted for 24.1% of imports, Bulgaria for 14.1%, and Italy for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Greece increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece imported 172.8 M $ US of these products, corresponding to a moderate gain of 4.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, Germany was the largest supplier of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Greece in value terms, accounting for 21.0% of imports. Italy followed with 14.7%, and Bulgaria with 11.9%. Even together, these three countries represented just 47.6% of total import value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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