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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bread and bakery products in Moldova fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 129 thousand tons in 2018 and reaching 132 thousand tons in 2023. After a peak of 134.3 thousand tons in 2021, the market contracted in 2022 to 123 thousand tons before recovering in 2023. The growth in 2023 coincided with increased sales reported by the market leader, Franzeluța, which saw a 7.1% rise in revenue from higher bakery product sales.

Throughout the period, Franzeluța maintained a dominant position with an estimated 20% market share, reporting record gross profit in 2024 due to reduced production costs. Consumer preferences shifted, with traditional bread consumption declining in urban areas while demand grew for new varieties and artisanal sourdough products. The market also benefited from export growth to the EU via Romania, supported by modern baking equipment showcased at industry events like GastroPan 2024.

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

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

In 2019, Moldova's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares reached its peak at 130.9 thousand tons, marking a 2.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had declined to 123.1 thousand tons, a 6.0% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Moldova's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, output peaked at 173.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 9.9% increase from the previous year. By 2020, the value had fallen to 165.7 million US dollars, a 3.5% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production in value terms increased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Moldova's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 11 310 tons, a 1.2% decline from the previous year. By 2019, exports had rebounded with a 5.8% increase, and in 2020, they reached 12 477 tons, a modest 4.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Moldova's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms were Romania, accounting for 67.9% of exports, Germany with 8.5%, and the United States at 5.1%. Together, these three countries formed 81.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Moldova's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16 790 thousand US dollars, a moderate 7.0% uptick compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Moldova's exports in value terms were Romania, Germany, and the United States, collectively accounting for 77.6% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Moldova's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 13 840 tons, following a 15.2% increase in 2018. By 2020, import volume had decreased to 13 440 tons, a small 2.9% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Russia dominated Moldova's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms, together concentrating 80.4% of total imports, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Moldova's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 26 597 thousand US dollars, representing a slight 1.8% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 43.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Moldova's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms were Ukraine, accounting for 52.0% of imports, Russia at 15.3%, and Romania with 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 77.3% of total import flows.

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

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