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

Earlier Report Observations

The US market for bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares grew steadily from 1 080 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 773 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by health-conscious consumer trends that increased demand for gluten-free and organic options, alongside the growing accessibility of bakery products through e-commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated growth as consumers sought indulgent categories like cakes and pastries for occasional treats, which boosted market volume despite concurrent supply chain disruptions and rising input costs.

Post-pandemic recovery in foodservice sales and sustained consumer demand for convenience and indulgent snacks drove continued market growth through 2022. Major companies responded with significant product innovation, such as Pillsbury launching new stuffed cookie kits and cake mixes, while Sara Lee introduced vegetable-infused bread. The market also saw the emergence of new hybrid products like cruffins and a strong shift toward plant-based bakery items, reflecting evolving consumer preferences for novelty and health-oriented options.

Industrial automation investments, which rose by 41% in 2023, enhanced production efficiency and helped meet growing demand. The increased adoption of AI-powered systems and real-time data analytics in bakeries optimized production schedules and reduced waste. Concurrently, the sustained growth of e-commerce, accounting for over 22% of retail bakery sales, significantly improved product accessibility and convenience for consumers, supporting the overall market expansion through the period.

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

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

In 2020, the United States produced 31 138 tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 9.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 31 861 tons, marking an 11.7% increase that year. However, in 2019, production saw its largest decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The United States saw its bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares production value rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 97 753 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight increase of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the United States' export volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined in 2020. Exports totaled 653 thousand tons, showing a moderate contraction of 3.6% from the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 677 thousand tons, following the largest increase of 3.6% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea consistently served as the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 76.6% of total flows. Canada led with 63.2% of exports, followed by Mexico at 10.8%, and South Korea at 2.6%.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, the United States' export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares declined in 2020. Export volume amounted to 2 050 million US dollars, down by 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 100 million US dollars, after the largest increase of 4.1% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea together absorbed 72.8% of the total export value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from the United States, making them the primary markets. Canada accounted for 61.2% of exports in value terms, Mexico for 9.4%, and South Korea for 2.3%.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

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

Imports in kind, K t

The United States' import volume of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 1 938 thousand tons, marking a moderate advance of 6.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, three main markets—Canada, Mexico, and India—together accounted for 77.7% of total imports in kind of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to the United States.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The United States' import value of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares rose for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled a certain value in million US dollars, up by 4.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 25.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Mexico, and Italy accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms, together comprising 71.9% of total flows. Canada led with 47.0%, followed by Mexico at 21.1%, and Italy at 3.9%.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020