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

Earlier Report Observations

The Jordanian market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares began the period with stable volumes, reaching 43 690 t in 2018 and 43 921 t in 2019. During these years, the government implemented price controls on subsidized bread, which helped maintain consumption levels. In 2020, market volume jumped by 14% to 50 166 t, a surge primarily driven by changed consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as households increased their at-home consumption of baked goods.

After the pandemic peak, the market corrected in 2021, falling by 11% to 44 598 t. In 2022, volume stabilized at 43 964 t, supported by the government's decision to fix bread prices until end-2023 and provide wheat subsidies, insulating the domestic market from soaring global grain prices. However, in 2023, the market contracted sharply by 18% to 35 995 t. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards other bakery products like cakes and biscuits due to lifestyle changes and longer working hours, expanding the consumer base for these items, while demand for traditional bread may have softened.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Jordan's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 23 229 tonnes, marking a 6.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 21 883 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 17.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Jordan in kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during these years. The market peaked in 2019 and hit its lowest point in 2020, with a 4.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Jordan exported 3 034 tonnes of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, representing a sharp 76.9% decline from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 141 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 16.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon were the top buyers of Jordan's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in terms of volume. Iraq accounted for 30.8% of exports, Yemen for 19.1%, and Lebanon for 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented 62.4% of Jordan's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Jordan's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 19.9 million US dollars, up 4.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 9.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia were the key partners for Jordan's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms. Iraq contributed 26.8% of export value, Yemen 15.7%, and Saudi Arabia 12.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.4% of Jordan's total export flows in this sector.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Jordan's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 29 972 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 14.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.0%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 180 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that same year with a 4.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey dominated Jordan's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms. The UAE accounted for 20.4% of imports, Saudi Arabia for 19.7%, and Turkey for 15.6%. Together, these three countries made up 55.7% of Jordan's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Jordan's import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 104.3 million US dollars, showing a robust 21.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 26.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey remained the primary sources for Jordan's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms. The UAE represented 25.7% of import value, Saudi Arabia 15.3%, and Turkey 13.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 54.9% of Jordan's total import flows in this sector.

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

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