Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the West African market for bread, pastry, and biscuits saw initial volatility. In 2018, the market volume stood at 178.7 thousand tons, supported by Côte d'Ivoire's growing role as a regional bakery hub and initiatives promoting the use of local flours like plantain and cassava in pastry production. A temporary dip to 171.8 thousand tons occurred in 2019. The market recovered to 189.6 thousand tons in 2020, aided by the April launch of Puratos Côte d'Ivoire, which began local production of bakery and pastry powders, improving ingredient availability for regional manufacturers.

Market growth accelerated from 2021 onward, reaching 196.8 thousand tons that year as local biscuit and candy makers actively sought distribution partners to expand their reach. A significant jump to 228.4 thousand tons followed in 2022, driven by a $4.3 million IFC investment to expand the production capacity of Mali's main local biscuit supplier, SOMABIS. The most dramatic expansion came in 2023, with the market volume soaring to 296.2 thousand tons. This surge was fueled by the continued expansion of industrial baking capacities across the region and the entry of established Tunisian biscuit manufacturers into the West African market, responding to rising consumer demand for premium and innovative products.

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

Western 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 100.9 thousand tons of these goods, marking a significant 14.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 17.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Africa exported 5 479 tons of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, representing a 54.6% year-over-year increase. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 543 tons, with a 27.7% decline that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chad and the United States were the top buyers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Western Africa, together accounting for 3.5% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Western Africa's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares in value terms declined in 2020. Exports totaled 15.4 million US dollars, a sharp 19.9% drop from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 19.2 million US dollars, with a 29.6% increase that year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 12.1%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 3.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares from Western Africa were distributed across numerous countries. The United States (2.2% of exports), Thailand (2.0%), and Chad (1.9%) combined for only 6.1% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Western Africa rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 94 130 tons, up 7.8% from 2019. The lowest point was in 2019 at 87 343 tons, with a 10.1% decrease that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports overall decreased by 5.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (20.6% of imports in volume), Turkey (18.5%), and China (11.4%) were the leading suppliers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares to Western Africa, together making up 50.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Western Africa in value terms increased in 2020. Imports totaled 80.4 million US dollars, showing a 26.3% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 80.4 million US dollars, with an 11.0% drop that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Western Africa were spread across many countries. India (14.8% of imports), France (13.2%), and Turkey (11.4%) together accounted for just 39.5% of total import value, with no single partner dominating the market.

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

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