Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The bakery products market in Saudi Arabia saw a substantial decline in volume from 215 thousand tons in 2018 to 104 thousand tons in 2022. This contraction was accompanied by volatile domestic production, which fell sharply in 2022, and a consistent increase in exports that reduced net available supply.

A sharp turnaround occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping 52% to 158 thousand tons. This growth was driven by rising consumer demand for convenient bakery items like cakes and croissants, fueled by longer shelf life and adaptation to busier lifestyles. In 2024, market developments included the implementation of food label transparency rules, expansion of franchising agreements for major brands, and continued shifts toward healthy, on-the-go products with whole grains and functional additives.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Saudi Arabia

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

In Saudi Arabia, production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares reached 108 061 tons in 2020, representing a 2.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 111 714 tons, which saw the largest annual increase of 34.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares rose for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 132.6 thousand tons—a 26.5% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 4.6%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 89.5 thousand tons, which also marked the largest annual decline of 35.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan consistently led as the top destinations for Saudi Arabia's exports of these goods in volume terms. The UAE accounted for 28.0% of exports, Kuwait for 13.6%, and Jordan for 13.3%, together making up 54.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, Saudi Arabia's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased in 2020, totaling 335.7 million US dollars—a 2.2% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 289.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 12.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase, with a 13.7% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan formed the primary cluster of markets for Saudi Arabia's exports in value terms. The UAE held a 30.5% share, Kuwait 16.5%, and Jordan 14.2%, collectively accounting for 61.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined in 2020, with volume reaching 182.0 thousand tons—an 11.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 26.2%, equivalent to an 8.1% annualized rate. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 205.4 thousand tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 33.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Saudi Arabia's imports of these goods in volume terms. The United Arab Emirates contributed 14.5% of imports, Turkey 11.6%, and Italy 8.0%, together representing 34.1% of total import volume. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares, reflecting a diversified import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increases, Saudi Arabia's import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined in 2020, reaching 683.5 million US dollars with minimal change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 30.6%, corresponding to a 9.3% annualized rate. The highest value was in 2019 at 685.2 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 21.2%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no country holding a clearly dominant position. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 16.6% of imports, Italy for 10.7%, and Turkey for 9.8%, together making up 37.1% of total import value.

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

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