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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bakery products in Sweden contracted sharply in 2019, falling to 27.0 thousand tons from 48.5 thousand tons the previous year. It declined further in 2020, stabilized near 18.0 thousand tons in 2021, then entered a clear recovery phase from 2022 onward, reaching 35.3 thousand tons in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly altered market dynamics, driving producers to adapt and explore new product directions.

Market growth from 2022 was primarily driven by shifting consumer priorities. Lingering pandemic effects bolstered demand for wholesome and sustainable alternatives, notably whole-grain bread, while economic uncertainty made affordability a key purchase criterion. This search for value-for-money and healthier options stimulated overall consumption.

This trend was reinforced in 2023 by industry-wide voluntary targets to reduce salt and sugar content in products, alongside the introduction of front-of-pack energy labeling. Concurrently, strong consumer interest in functional foods, especially those supporting gut health like sourdough and whole grains, provided additional momentum. By 2024, strategic focus had expanded to include extended shelf life and improved environmental profiles as market requirements.

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

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

Sweden's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased in 2020, marking a recovery after a two-year decline. The output reached 36 K t, showing a slight gain of 2.4% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 17.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 35 K t produced, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 19.4%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Exports totalled 178.4 K t, up by 5.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Germany were the leading destinations for Sweden's exports in kind. Norway accounted for 30.3% of exports, Denmark for 17.9%, and Germany for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 63.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sweden's export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The export volume reached 557.4 M $ US, corresponding to an increase of 8.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 18.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were the main destinations for Sweden's exports in value terms. Norway accounted for 30.3% of exports, Denmark for 15.9%, and Finland for 13.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 59.7% of total export value.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sweden's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares amounted to 160.3 K t, remaining nearly unchanged year-over-year compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3.7%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 162.7 K t, with the largest increase that year at 5.3%. In contrast, the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 24.0% of imports, Denmark for 12.4%, and Belgium for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 46.4% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 53.6%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sweden's import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares totalled 439.1 M $ US, showing a slight gain of 1.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.2%, with an annualized rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 445.6 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 8.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden's imports in value terms were supplied to a broad set of markets. Germany accounted for 23.4% of imports, Denmark for 14.8%, and Belgium for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.8% of total import value, while many smaller destinations formed the remaining 52.2%.

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

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