Pastry market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian pastry market expanded from 2018 to 2020, with production rising from 25 000 tons to 41 882 tons and market volume growing from 20 083 tons to 34 884 tons. This growth was driven by the increasing economic importance of the processed food sector, as more Egyptians dined out, boosting sales in restaurants and cafes that form a large part of the food-service industry. Structural changes in the labor market also spurred investments in these outlets, supporting higher consumption of pastry products.

After a contraction in 2021, when market volume fell to 31 253 tons, the market recovered in 2022 to 38 110 tons. However, in 2023, volume declined again to 31 374 tons. This drop was linked to a noticeable decrease in the supply of cooking oil and rising oil prices, resulting from unclear agricultural policies and reduced domestic oilseed cultivation, a trend that had been building over the previous decade. Higher input costs likely pressured pastry production and demand.

In 2024, while full market volume data is not yet available, pastry exports reached 15 801 tons, continuing an upward trend. This growth in exports aligns with increased private-sector participation in wheat imports and expanded flour production for re-export, which supplies private bakeries and cafes.

Production pastry in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Egypt has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Egypt produced 41 882 tonnes of pastry, marking a robust 21.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 91.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pastry production in Egypt has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of pastry was valued at 134.0 million US dollars in Egypt, representing a robust 21.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 106.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.3%.

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

Exports pastry from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Pastry volumes leaving Egypt have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 7 532 tonnes, up by 7.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 33.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 251 tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.2% occurring that year. The largest increase was in 2019, at 33.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya (15.3% of exports in kind), Jordan (12.3% of exports in kind), and Yemen (11.2% of exports in kind) were among the largest buyers of pastry from Egypt. However, even together, they represented just 38.8% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of pastry from Egypt have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 24 106 thousand US dollars, up by 7.8% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 43.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of pastry from Egypt were widely dispersed across partner countries. Libya (15.3% of exports in value terms), Jordan (12.3% of exports in value terms), and Yemen (11.2% of exports in value terms) together represented only 38.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pastry to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The period saw a trough in 2019 and a peak in 2020, showing a 1.7-fold difference. Egypt imported approximately 534 tonnes of pastry in 2020, which is 70.0% above the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 314 tonnes, with the largest decline of 34.2% occurring in 2018.

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

The data for 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in kind of pastry to Egypt were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Spain (18.0% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (16.5% of imports in kind), and the United Kingdom (15.4% of imports in kind) jointly accounted for only 49.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. A 1.7-fold variation was observed between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, Egypt's pastry imports reached 1 765 thousand US dollars, representing a 75.0% year-over-year uptick. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 009 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 29.0% occurring in 2018.

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

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide, as Spain (17.3% of imports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (16.5% of imports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (15.6% of imports in value terms) jointly accounted for just 49.5% of total flows, with the remaining 50.5% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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