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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Senegalese market for bread and bakers' wares underwent significant changes. The introduction of legislation banning traditional bread production in large urban areas and the use of wood in bakeries formalized the sector around modern facilities. In 2019, new regulations under Decree n° 2019-2277 further structured the industry, while the entry of innovative players like Mburu bakery, which focused on local ingredients, added diversity. However, by 2020, rising production costs for fuel and electricity squeezed bakers' margins, coinciding with a sharp contraction in market volume to 21 069 tonnes.

The market recovered steadily from 2021, reaching 31 938 tonnes by 2023. Ongoing efforts to incorporate local cereals fostered product innovation. A key driver emerged in 2022 when the price of wheat flour dropped from 16 000 to 14 000 FCFA per sack, reducing input costs and stimulating domestic production. This cost relief supported consistent growth in market size through 2023.

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

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

Senegal's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 24 393 tonnes of these goods, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Senegal was valued at 15 955 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.8% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 13.2%, averaging 4.2% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 721 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 17 493 thousand US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports in kind, t

The export market for these goods showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 035 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 8 820 tonnes, representing a 2.2-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Senegal exported 8 820 tonnes of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, a sharp rise of 118.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 34.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Senegal's bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in terms of volume were Niger (36.8% of exports), Mali (16.4%), and Nigeria (15.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest point was in 2018 at 2 568 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 5 769 thousand US dollars, a 2.2-fold increase. In 2020, exports of these goods from Senegal totaled 5 769 thousand US dollars, up 98.7% from the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018, with a 38.2% decrease.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the primary destinations for Senegal's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by value were Niger (27.6% of exports), Gambia (21.4%), and Mali (15.8%). These three countries together represented 64.8% of total export value.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Senegal fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Senegal imported 5 496 tonnes of these goods, a dramatic decline of 30.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 48%, averaging a 19.6% annual drop. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 597 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 0.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant source for Senegal's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by volume, accounting for 72.5% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Senegal increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, Senegal imported 9 012 thousand US dollars worth of these goods, a sudden rise of 35.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 71%, equating to an average annual increase of 19.6%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, France and Turkey were the key sources for Senegal's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares by value, jointly accounting for 84.3% of total imports. Other trading partners played much smaller individual roles.

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

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