Pastry market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in the GCC region displayed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. After growing 8% to 309 thousand tons in 2019, market volume fell sharply by 41% to 181 thousand tons in 2020.

A strong rebound of 35% followed in 2021, lifting the market to 244 thousand tons. However, volume declined again by 15% in 2022 to 209 thousand tons, before rising 10% to 229 thousand tons in 2023.

By the end of the period, the 2023 market volume remained 26% below the peak level observed in 2019, underscoring the substantial swings across these years.

Production pastry in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in the GCC has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 124.4 K t of pastry, marking a 12.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 172.8 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 17.8% decline, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, with a 21.1% rise.

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

Exports pastry from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Pastry exports from the GCC reached their lowest point in 2019 at 98.9 K t and peaked in 2020 at 187.1 K t, showing a 1.9-fold swing between these years. In 2020, exports increased by 89.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a 45.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pastry exports from the GCC were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Jordan accounted for 8.7% of exports in kind, Iraq for 5.9%, and Yemen for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 20.0% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across many markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pastry exports from the GCC in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 515 M $ US worth of pastry, which is 4.4% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 448 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.4% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2019, with a 10.2% rise.

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

The structure of pastry exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. Jordan contributed 9.5% of exports in value terms, Iraq 3.3%, and Yemen 3.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 15.9% of total flows, with the remaining 84.1% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports pastry to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, pastry import volumes into the GCC declined. In 2020, the region imported 244.0 K t of pastry, down by 8.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 75.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.5%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 266.3 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 54.5%.

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

The country composition of pastry imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. The United States accounted for 8.1% of imports in kind, India for 5.4%, and Turkey for 4.6%. Together, these three countries formed just 18.1% of total import flows, with the remaining 81.9% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign pastry supplies to the GCC have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 1 005 M $ US, reflecting a modest gain of 7.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and Turkey were the largest suppliers of pastry to the GCC in value terms, contributing 11.4%, 4.1%, and 3.6% of imports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 19.0% of total imports in value terms, reflecting a diversified country structure with many other sources involved.

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

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