Pastry market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in China, measured in volume, began a downward trend from 2018, when it stood at 167 thousand tons, to 156 thousand tons in 2020. This period saw the initiation of a revision to the national food safety standard GB 7099 for pastries and bread, marking the start of tighter regulatory scrutiny.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market volume contracted sharply, falling to 118 thousand tons. This decline coincided with the active phase of the GB 7099 standard revision, which in 2022 introduced draft changes including new labeling rules for active probiotics, broader ingredient definitions, and extended testing requirements. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards healthier segments like new Chinese-style pastries, light nutrition options, and short-shelf-life baked goods, reshaping demand and contributing to the overall volume reduction.

By 2024, the regulatory process advanced with the official release of the GB 7099 draft standard, setting the stage for stricter packaging, ingredient, and nutrition labeling rules upon implementation. These developments indicate a continued evolution of the market structure driven by safety standards and health trends.

Production pastry in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was among the world's leading producers of pastry from 2017 to 2020, ranking 19th globally by production volume.

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

China's pastry production volume increased after a two-year decline. In 2019, production reached its minimum at 221.7 thousand tons, then remained virtually unchanged in 2020 at 221.9 thousand tons. The largest decline of 0.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pastry production in China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 658.5 million US dollars, representing a 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The maximum value of 681.5 million US dollars was recorded in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 5.7%.

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

Exports pastry from China

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, China's pastry exports declined. In 2019, exports reached their maximum of 117.1 thousand tons, then fell to 111.0 thousand tons in 2020, indicating a limited decline of 5.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The largest increase of 7.6% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea formed the largest group of buyers for China's pastry exports in kind, accounting for 22.1%, 20.8%, and 7.1% of exports respectively. Their combined contribution was 50.0% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, pastry exports from China declined. In 2019, exports reached their maximum value of 355.0 million US dollars, then fell to 329.4 million US dollars in 2020, equivalent to a moderate decrease of 7.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The largest increase of 7.4% was recorded in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea formed the core of China's pastry exports in value terms, accounting for 24.5%, 20.7%, and 5.6% of exports respectively. Together, they represented 50.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pastry to China

Imports in kind, K t

Pastry imports to China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their maximum of 52.4 thousand tons, then fell to approximately 45.5 thousand tons in 2020, which is 10.0% weaker relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The largest increase of 6.6% was recorded in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of pastry to China in kind relied on a wide range of partner countries. Asia (not elsewhere specified), Hong Kong, and Malaysia accounted for 17.3%, 14.1%, and 13.7% of imports respectively, together taking just 45.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, pastry imports to China were valued at 400.9 million US dollars, showing only a marginal fluctuation from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The largest increase of 16.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Malaysia were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of pastry imports to China in value terms, accounting for 47.0%, 8.5%, and 7.0% of imports respectively. Their combined share was 62.5% of total import flows.

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

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