Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Southern Africa exhibited significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. The market size in kind rose sharply from 31 470 t in 2018 to 49 740 t in 2019, then contracted slightly to 47 658 t in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, reaching 53 766 t, before consecutive declines brought the volume down to 48 495 t in 2022 and 31 105 t in 2023.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic altered staple food consumption, with some consumers shifting towards maize meal, although bread consumption saw a marginal increase. Major manufacturers demonstrated resilience during this period, with players like Rhodes Food Group having strengthened its position in the pies and pastries segment through an earlier acquisition, helping the industry manage elevated input costs.

By 2024, evolving consumer preferences became a key market influence, driving demand for plant-based bakery products, hybrid pastries like croffles and crookies, and artisanal goods featuring heritage grains. Sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction and local sourcing, alongside a strong focus on freshness and health-conscious options, shaped the market's development in the latter part of the period.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Southern Africa

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

Southern Africa's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 32 574 tonnes of these products, marking a 2.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Southern Africa's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 99 693 thousand US dollars, up 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Southern Africa have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 25 869 tonnes, a 9.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 34 751 tonnes, which saw an 11.1% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 17.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for these products in kind was highly diversified. Zambia accounted for 8.1% of exports, Mozambique for 7.2%, and Angola for 5.3%, together making up only 20.6% of total flows. The remaining 79.4% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Southern Africa have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 79.2 million US dollars, down 9.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 8.8%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 3.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 92.5 million US dollars, which saw a 6.5% increase.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, no single market dominated the export value for these products. Zambia represented 10.0% of exports, Mozambique 8.7%, and Angola 4.3%, together accounting for just 23.0% of total export value. The rest was spread across numerous smaller partners, each with modest shares.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Africa's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares totalled 40 953 tonnes, a sharp 12.2% decline from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 35 020 tonnes, which saw a 23.9% drop. The highest was in 2019 at 46 657 tonnes, marking a 33.2% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market for these products in kind was not dominated by any single country. India accounted for 12.1% of imports, Malaysia for 4.3%, and the United Kingdom for 3.1%, together making up only 19.5% of total imports. The remaining 80.5% came from many smaller partners, each with limited individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Southern Africa have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 116.8 million US dollars, down 10.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 133.7 million US dollars, which saw a 9.1% increase.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse range of partners. India accounted for 7.7% of imports, Malaysia for 6.0%, and the United Kingdom for 5.1%, together representing only 18.7% of total flows. The remaining 81.3% was spread across many smaller markets.

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

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