Gingerbread market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian market for gingerbread and similar products grew from 456 000 tons in 2018 to 509 000 tons in 2019, supported by an increase in per capita consumption of long-lasting flour-based confectionery. This expansion was followed by a contraction to 449 000 tons in 2020, linked to a reported 10.6% drop in gingerbread sales that year.

Market volume continued to decline over the next three years, reaching 271 000 tons by 2023. A key driver in 2022 was the suspension of advertising and investment activities in Russia by major international confectionery companies like Mars and Mondelēz International, which impacted production and exports. During this period, consumer preference also shifted toward low-price segment items such as sweet dry cookies and gingerbread as substitutes for more expensive sweets.

In 2024, the market recovered to 304 000 tons, fueled by rising demand for healthier variants including gluten-free and organic gingerbread, alongside technological improvements in packaging and distribution. Production volume then decreased to 293 000 tons in 2025.

Production gingerbread in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's gingerbread production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 340.6 thousand tons of gingerbread, which represents a 24.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 25.4%, translating to an average annual decline of 9.3%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 516.0 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 13.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports gingerbread from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Russia's gingerbread exports experienced a decline. In 2021, exports totaled 5 124 tons, marking a 4.8% drop from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports overall increased by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 384 tons, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 36.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and China remained the top buyers of Russian gingerbread in volume terms, accounting for 28.5%, 26.9%, and 16.1% of exports respectively. Together, these three countries represented 71.5% of Russia's total gingerbread exports by volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of Russia's gingerbread exports reached 5 672 thousand US dollars, showing a 7.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 32%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 6.7% decrease, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 with a 31.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and China collectively accounted for 66.6% of the total value of Russia's gingerbread exports, making them the dominant markets in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports gingerbread to Russia

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Russia's gingerbread imports rebounded. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 397 tons, representing a sharp 40.7% increase from the previous year. However, over the full 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 19.2%, averaging an annual decline of 6.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 993 tons, with the most significant drop occurring in 2019 at 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Belarus, and Sweden continued to be the main suppliers of gingerbread to Russia in volume terms, representing 29.1%, 25.2%, and 20.1% of imports respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.5% of Russia's total gingerbread imports by volume during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of contraction, Russia's gingerbread imports in value terms showed recovery. In 2021, imports totaled 4 378 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 38.7% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 7.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 158 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.6% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Germany, and Sweden were the principal sources of gingerbread imports to Russia in value terms, accounting for 30.8%, 27.6%, and 27.0% of imports respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 85.4% of the total import value during this period.

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

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