Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The bakery market in Sub-Saharan Africa began the period at a high volume of 1,048 thousand tons in 2018 but contracted to 928 thousand tons the following year. This decline coincided with reported falls in sales of the dominant standard bread loaf segment and was compounded by elevated production costs, as the local food ingredients market relied heavily on imported inputs, squeezing manufacturers' margins.

A modest recovery lifted the market to 960 thousand tons in 2020, followed by a sharp expansion to a peak of 1,125 thousand tons in 2021. However, this growth proved temporary, with the market volume receding to 986 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 937 thousand tons by 2023.

Industry indicators for 2024 highlighted manufacturers' continued resilience to high input costs and pointed to growing demand from the foodservice channel, supported by a 6% expansion in the fast-food and quick-service restaurant sector.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Sub-Saharan 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 775.6 K t of these products, marking a gradual increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Sub-Saharan Africa's export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares decreased. In 2020, exports totaled 55.9 K t, down 5.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 48.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 14.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 59.1 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 34.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for these products were widely distributed. The United States accounted for 2.3% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 2.1%, and Australia for 1.0%. Together, these three partners represented just 5.4% of total exports, with no single country emerging as a dominant market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export revenues from bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Sub-Saharan Africa fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 164.9 M $ US, showing a limited decline of 6.2% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 244.8 M $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 28.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 64.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated the export value for these products. The United States contributed 2.7% of exports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates 1.8%, and the United Kingdom 1.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 5.8% of total export value, while numerous smaller partners each held modest shares.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 373.9 K t of these goods, down 7.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 373.9 K t, with the largest decline in 2019 at 30.4% and the largest increase in 2018 at 29.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key suppliers of these products to Sub-Saharan Africa included India with 24.6% of imports in kind, Turkey with 9.4%, and Brazil with 8.8%. However, their combined share reached only 42.7% of total imports, leaving the remaining 57.3% spread across many other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import spending on foreign bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in Sub-Saharan Africa dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 392.9 M $ US, reflecting a modest decrease of 4.2% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 9.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. India accounted for 15.7% of imports in value terms, France for 8.3%, and Turkey for 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up just 30.0% of total imports, with no single supplier holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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