Mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for mixes and doughs in Italy experienced a gradual contraction, declining from 205.6 thousand tons to 196.9 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played a significant role, as lockdowns forced the closure of many bakeries and food processing facilities, reducing commercial demand for industrial baking mixes. This offset a concurrent rise in retail demand for convenient baking mixes driven by increased home baking during the restrictions.

The market rebounded in 2021, with volume reaching 214.9 thousand tons, before stabilizing around 211 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, market structure evolved with the acquisition of leading supplier Profimix by Puratos in 2022, strengthening the presence of a major player in the European bakery premix segment. Consumer trends increasingly favored artisanal and specialty baked goods, supporting demand for related mixes.

A notable shift occurred in 2023, where the market's value surged to 516.1 million USD despite a drop in physical volume to 187.4 thousand tons, highlighting a trend towards premiumization. This was driven by strong consumer attention to organic products and clean-label baking mixes, which represented 31% of new bakery product launches. In 2024, increased exports of Italian bakery products and the adoption of new production technologies contributed to a recovery in production volume to 140.3 thousand tons, while ongoing demand for healthy, frozen, and artisanal options continued to shape the market.

Production mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, production of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 246.9 million US dollars, marking a substantial gain of 10.7% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 31.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 191.9 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 47.0% occurred. In contrast, the largest increase of 16.2% was observed in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked as the 4th largest producer of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits globally.

Top producers of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits, 2017-2020

World map of production of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits, 2017-2020

Italy's production of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output totaled 137.7 thousand tonnes, showing a modest increase of 1.6% over the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.4%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 11.0%. The minimum value was 128.6 thousand tonnes in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 34.1%. The largest increase of 5.3% occurred in 2019.

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

Exports mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's exports of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits remained nearly unchanged at 19.4 thousand tonnes compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.6%, averaging an annualized increase of 4.3%. The lowest export volume was 16.3 thousand tonnes in 2018, when the largest decline of 4.8% was recorded. The peak was in 2019 at 19.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 19.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Spain, and Germany were among the largest buyers of Italy's mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits, accounting for 12.0%, 8.3%, and 6.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented just 27.0% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's exports of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits declined in 2020. Exports totaled 47.0 million US dollars, reflecting a limited loss of 5.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 49.7 million US dollars, when the largest increase of 12.8% occurred.

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

The market base for Italy's exports in value terms was wide from 2017 to 2020. France, Germany, and Spain accounted for 10.8%, 10.2%, and 6.5% of exports in value, respectively, jointly making up just 27.5% of total flows. The remaining 72.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 78.7 thousand tonnes, showing a limited decrease of 9.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 24.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Switzerland formed the core of Italy's imports in kind, representing 33.6%, 20.0%, and 14.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 68.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of foreign mixes and doughs for bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits dropped for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 169.8 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decline of 10.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Belgium consistently remained the main sources for Italy's imports in value terms, accounting for 36.7%, 15.9%, and 15.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 68.2% of total flows.

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

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