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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers' wares in Slovenia demonstrated consistent growth from 26 570 t in 2018 to 36 443 t in 2023. In the initial years, the market was shaped by strong global competition and rapid technological changes, which spurred product development. Major domestic companies, such as Žito, were active in creating high-quality products, a focus that was further amplified from 2020 as consumer attention shifted towards food quality and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period also saw a continued industry push towards healthier, more sustainable products and innovative approaches, which expanded consumer choice and supported market expansion.

This growth trajectory continued despite rising production and logistical costs in 2022, influenced by global energy crises and higher fertilizer prices. By 2023, the market was characterized by a high degree of innovation, with the introduction of new product categories like dough-based goods and sandwiches, further broadening the supply. The sustained emphasis on quality and sustainability, recognized through industry awards, helped maintain consumer engagement and demand throughout this period.

Further evolution of the market was evident in 2024, with increased consumer demand for online food sales, including baked goods, marking a shift in purchasing habits. Concurrently, legislative changes requiring companies to maintain waste records introduced new operational considerations for the baking industry. While these factors indicate an ongoing transformation in distribution and regulation, food price inflation for bread and cereals in Slovenia was lower than the EU average, which influenced consumer behavior.

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

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

Slovenia's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 K t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 1 K t, marking an 8.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 0.8%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovenia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 20 088 t, but in 2020 they dropped to 17 995 t, representing a 10.4% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Croatia, and Austria were the key partners for Slovenia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms. Italy accounted for 47.9% of exports, Croatia for 28.4%, and Austria for 8.6%, together making up 84.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Slovenia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms declined after two years of increase. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 51.0 M $ US, but by 2020 they had fallen to 46.6 M $ US, a decrease of 8.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 17.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Croatia, and Austria remained the main markets for Slovenia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms. Italy represented 34.9% of exports, Croatia 27.3%, and Austria 16.6%, jointly accounting for 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were at 48 908 t, and by 2020 they had risen to 50 082 t, a small increase of 2.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the principal suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Slovenia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 20.3% of imports, Italy for 16.4%, and Austria for 15.2%, together making up 52.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Slovenia's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports were at 129.4 M $ US, and in 2020 they reached 131.6 M $ US, a small rise of 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the primary suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Slovenia in value terms. Germany represented 20.5% of imports, Italy 17.5%, and Austria 13.8%, jointly accounting for 51.9% of total import flows.

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

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