Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares expanded overall from 594 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 779 thousand tonnes in 2023. This growth was not linear, with a significant contraction in 2021 followed by a strong rebound.

Market volume increased steadily from 2018 to 2020, reaching 678 thousand tonnes, before falling to 570 thousand tonnes in 2021. The decline in 2021 represented a reduction of approximately 16% from the previous year.

In 2022, the market recovered sharply to 739 thousand tonnes, a jump of nearly 30%. This surge was supported by the expansion of major chains like Greggs, which planned to open over 3 000 shops, increasing product accessibility. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for convenience drove a projected £400 million increase in bakery food-to-go sales. The market then continued to grow moderately to 779 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2018-2021

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2018-2021

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 25 K t of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, marking a 4.3% decrease from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 17.7%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, at 15.6%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

The United Kingdom's export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 350 K t, down 8.4% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 9.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 394 K t, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the export market for these goods was diverse. Ireland accounted for 34.5% of exports, France for 9.5%, and the Netherlands for 5.9%, together making up 50.0% of total flows. The remaining 50.0% was distributed among many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Export deliveries of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the United Kingdom declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were recorded at 1 172 M $ US, remaining largely stable compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Ireland led in export value with 36.7%, followed by France at 8.5% and the United States at 6.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.4% of total export flows in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, imports totaled 895 K t, showing a sharp 13.4% decrease year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 1 034 K t, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical structure of imports was highly diversified. Ireland contributed 16.5%, France 15.9%, and Germany 14.7%, together accounting for 47.2% of total import flows. The remaining 52.8% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, the import volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, imports totaled 2 885 M $ US, down 1.8% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 4.2%, averaging an annual growth of 1.4%. The peak value was in 2020 at 2 937 M $ US, with the largest increase in 2019 at 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms were characterized by a broad market spread. France accounted for 15.6%, Germany for 14.4%, and Ireland for 13.4%, together making up 43.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021