Gingerbread and the like, sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the increasing popularity of waffles with diverse flavor combinations and innovative toppings stimulated consumer interest in the sweet bakery segment. By 2019, the market showed a shift in preferences towards fine biscuits, which became the fastest-growing category, while children's cookies faced pressure. This contributed to the market value growth from $524 million in 2019 to $624 million in 2020. In 2021, the market value dipped to $557 million, while the physical market volume stood at 203.4 thousand tons.

The market demonstrated steady expansion in 2022 and 2023: volume increased from 241.9 thousand tons to 295.4 thousand tons, and value rose from $686 million to $949 million. In October 2023, new Dutch regulations for animal-derived products came into effect, impacting ingredients and production of sweet bakery items, which prompted manufacturers to adapt their formulations. By 2024, the market volume reached 340.2 thousand tons.

By 2025, the market is shaped by key trends: technological innovations and artificial intelligence influence product development, consumers show growing interest in protein-rich desserts, healthy ingredients like natural sweeteners, and the premium segment. The Dutch bakery sector, with strong export-oriented companies such as Hellema and Verkade, anticipates slight growth due to recovering purchasing power and stable consumption, supporting the overall market dynamics.

Production gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The Netherlands has seen production of gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers increase for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 1 191 million US dollars, marking a 9.4% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2019 to 2021, production grew by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

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

Exports gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from the Netherlands have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the Netherlands exported 330.2 thousand tonnes, showing a modest increase of 7.7% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 14.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the top destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 23.1%, 17.6%, and 12.6% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 53.3% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values of gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from the Netherlands have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 1 129 million US dollars, representing a 17.6% jump compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 19.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium remained the primary buyers of these products from the Netherlands in value terms, with shares of 22.0%, 15.1%, and 13.2%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 50.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers into the Netherlands have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 133.5 thousand tonnes, up 12.1% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 16.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%.

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

Over the period 2018–2021, Belgium, Germany, and Austria were the main sources of imports in kind, with shares of 42.8%, 27.7%, and 4.8%, respectively. Together, these countries supplied 75.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values of gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers into the Netherlands have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 495 million US dollars, showing a robust increase of 18.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 15.6%, with an annualized rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 413 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.6%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Belgium, Germany, and Poland formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 44.2%, 27.1%, and 4.6%, respectively. Together, they represented 75.9% of total import flows.

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

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