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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bakery products in Syria contracted from 51 488 t in 2018 to 36 782 t in 2020, before recovering to 50 183 t by 2023. This recovery was supported by rising demand for bakery items due to changing lifestyles and longer working hours, which expanded the consumer base and drove domestic production up to 38 760 t in 2023.

Imports of bakery goods fell sharply from 27 336 t in 2018 to 11 220 t in 2020, mirroring the overall market contraction, and then partially rebounded to 17 615 t in 2024. In 2024, wheat production in Syria did not exceed 700 thousand tonnes, limiting raw material availability for bread manufacturing, while adjustments to commercial bread prices and the anticipated removal of subsidies began to alter market conditions.

Exchange rate fluctuations of the Syrian pound and food price inflation exceeding 200% also impacted the market, affecting the cost of baked goods. By late 2024, shifts in political and economic policy, including a new tax system, started to reshape the market landscape.

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

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

Syria's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 35 334 tons, representing a significant 29.2% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 30 635 tons, marking a 13.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Syria in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Syria's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in monetary terms experienced a downturn. In 2019, the value peaked at 71 765 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 13.3% rise from the prior year. By 2020, this had dropped to 50 111 thousand US dollars, a sharp 30.2% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Syria exported 5 072 tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, showing a moderate 4.5% year-over-year decrease. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 203 tons, which represented a 6.5% decline from the previous year. Exports then surged to a peak of 5 313 tons in 2019, marking a substantial 65.9% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 48.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for 57.0% of Syria's total exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Syria's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms amounted to 8 297 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 23.1% year-over-year reduction. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 419 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 10 791 thousand US dollars, representing a 45.5% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia were the primary markets for Syria's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms. Jordan accounted for 27.3% of exports, Lebanon for 13.7%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.5%, together making up 50.6% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Syria's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 11 220 tons, a steep 34.6% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 60.1%, with an average annual decline of 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Syria's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in volume terms, absorbing 95.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Syria's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 15 170 thousand US dollars, a 41.3% decrease relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 68.1%, with an average annual reduction of 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey served as the main source for Syria's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms, consistently accounting for 94.9% of total imports.

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

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