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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the bakery market volume in Southern Asia grew from 413 thousand tons to 455 thousand tons. This increase was driven by population growth and rising incomes, which boosted demand for convenient bakery products. At the same time, digitalization and mobile payment options facilitated greater access in tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities, while the expansion of multigrain bread and biscuit varieties attracted health‑conscious consumers.

Market volume declined to 424 thousand tons in 2020 as the industry faced challenges in allergen management and adapted to growing consumer interest in additive‑free and organic products. Volume stabilized at 417 thousand tons in 2021, supported by a continued focus on healthy and functional offerings such as high‑fiber breads and vegan options that catered to gut‑health awareness.

A sharp rebound followed in 2022, with market volume surging 47% to 615 thousand tons. This rise coincided with consumer preferences for locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and experiences that balance health with indulgence. However, volume retreated to 529 thousand tons in 2023, still remaining significantly above pre‑2022 levels.

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

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

Southern Asia's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 654.7 thousand tons of these products, marking a modest 3.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 596.7 thousand tons, when output fell by 2.5%. The strongest growth occurred in 2019, with a 5.9% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's production value for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 918 million US dollars, representing a significant 11.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 43.4%, averaging an annual decline of 17.3%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Asia exported 258.7 thousand tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, showing a sharp 33.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 97.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.4%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 6.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 57.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United States were the key destinations for Southern Asia's exports in kind. Iraq accounted for 45.3% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 3.4%, and the United States for 2.3%. Together, these three countries made up 51.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Asia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares reached 362.9 million US dollars, a substantial 13.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 319.3 million US dollars, when exports fell by 29.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 453.3 million US dollars, marking a 30.3% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United States were the main buyers of these products from Southern Asia in value terms. Iraq represented 42.6% of exports, Saudi Arabia 6.0%, and the United States 3.2%. Combined, they accounted for 51.8% of total export value.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Asia imported 28.0 thousand tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, reflecting a sharp 61.3% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 82.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.0% drop.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of these products into Southern Asia came from a wide range of markets. Even the top three suppliers—Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey—together represented only 9.3% of total imports in kind, indicating a highly diversified sourcing structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, import value stood at 144.7 million US dollars, a gain of 93.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 4.0% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia were the largest suppliers of these products to Southern Asia in value terms. Malaysia accounted for 9.0% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 6.0%, and Indonesia for 3.3%. However, their combined share was limited to 18.3% of total import value, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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