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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in the MENA region showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 1 049 thousand tons in 2018, it surged to 1 380 thousand tons the following year, marking a period of strong expansion.

After the 2019 peak, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 1 215 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 1 141 thousand tons in 2021. A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, with volume climbing to 1 517 thousand tons, before another decline brought it to 1 317 thousand tons in 2023.

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

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 MENA region has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 752.1 thousand tons of these products, marking a 3.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 23%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares production in the MENA region declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 116 million US dollars, down by 19.1% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 11.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 325 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 29.8%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

MENA's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares reached 501.8 thousand tons in 2020, representing a significant 64.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 38.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 11.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 304.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 21.5% during that period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan, the United States, and Pakistan were notable buyers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the MENA region, accounting for 7.7%, 3.7%, and 3.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 14.6% of total exports, with the remaining 85.4% distributed across a wide range of other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares exports from the MENA region has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 479 million US dollars, up by 6.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 32.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

The market for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly diversified. The United States, Afghanistan, and Pakistan accounted for 5.3%, 4.4%, and 2.0% of exports in value, respectively, but together represented just 11.7% of total flows. The remaining 88.3% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

MENA's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 964.3 thousand tons of these products, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares were imported into the MENA region from a variety of markets. Even the largest suppliers—Turkey, Italy, and the United States—collectively accounted for only 33.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares imports into the MENA region has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 182 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual year-on-year increase of 6.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 19.7%, averaging a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Turkey, Italy, and the United States accounted for 19.7%, 6.9%, and 4.7% of imports in value, respectively, but together made up only 31.2% of total flows. The remaining 68.8% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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