Pastry market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in Eastern Asia stood at 243.7 thousand tons in 2018, supported by improving production technologies and the entry of new players like Taiwan Pastry, which opened its first store that year. Market volume then declined to 211.5 thousand tons in 2019, coinciding with intensified competition and growing consumer focus on health, sugar control, and natural ingredients, which likely tempered demand for traditional products. Despite pandemic disruptions in 2020, the market recovered to 219.8 thousand tons as the industry accelerated automation and cold-chain adoption, while demand shifted toward convenient and healthier offerings.

Investment surged into the new Chinese pastry segment in 2021, with brands like Taiwan Pastry rapidly adding over 130 new stores, helping drive market volume up to 243.6 thousand tons. However, volume fell again to 210.5 thousand tons in 2022 as prolonged pandemic pressure continued to weigh on offline store traffic, even though online channels remained active.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2023, with the market reaching 280.7 thousand tons—the highest level in the period. This surge was fueled by the post-pandemic recovery of physical stores, heightened popularity of pastry driven by social media and influencer promotions, and further industry-wide adoption of automated production equipment that boosted output efficiency.

Production pastry in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 254.7 K t of pastry, marking a modest 2.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, pastry production in Eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 900.4 M $ US, representing a 4.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.6%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 862.4 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

Exports pastry from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's pastry exports have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 347.3 K t of pastry, a 1.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 18.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (accounting for 10.6% of exports in kind), Asia, not elsewhere specified (4.0%), and Australia (3.6%) were among the top buyers of pastry from Eastern Asia. However, together they made up just 18.2% of total exports in kind, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of pastry from Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 228 M $ US, showing a modest 3.5% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.8%, with an annualized rate of 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pastry exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United States (12.1% of exports in value terms), Asia, not elsewhere specified (6.4%), and Australia (3.0%) together accounted for only 21.5% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Imports pastry to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia imported 312.5 K t of pastry, a 2.5% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 305.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 5.4%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2018 at 322.5 K t, marking the largest increase of 2.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Malaysia (11.0% of imports in kind), the United States (8.3%), and Vietnam (6.6%) were among the largest suppliers of pastry to Eastern Asia. Yet, together they represented just 25.9% of total imports in kind, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, foreign pastry supplies to Eastern Asia declined in 2020. Imports totaled 1 419 M $ US, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 423 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 9.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Malaysia (10.2% of imports in value terms), the United States (8.6%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (5.0%) together accounted for only 23.8% of total flows, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remaining 76.2%.

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

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