Pastry market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in Lebanon grew in 2019, reaching 19,903 t, a 14% increase from 2018. However, in 2020, market volume sharply contracted by 50% to 10,016 t.

In 2021, the market remained low at 9,725 t. In 2022, it recovered to 14,001 t, a 44% rise. This growth occurred amid Lebanon's high food price inflation, which hit 208% in 2022, significantly raising production and consumption costs. Additionally, changes in consumer behavior toward reducing spending on meat and vegetables due to high prices likely increased demand for pastry as a more affordable alternative.

In 2023, market volume fell 37% to 8,756 t, while its value in US dollars slightly increased to $36.9 million. This volume drop took place against a backdrop of ongoing inflation and supply chain disruptions from economic and political crises, which raised production and distribution expenses. At the same time, the rise of local initiatives supporting domestic products contributed to greater product diversity in the market.

Production pastry in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Lebanon's pastry production increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 5 930 tonnes, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5 923 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 at 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lebanon's pastry production value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 21 665 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate decrease of 9.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 16.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 24 009 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring that same year at 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports pastry from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 1 732 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2018 at 4 334 tonnes, creating a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 2 572 tonnes of pastry, marking a substantial increase of 48.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 60.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait remained the leading destinations for Lebanon's pastry exports in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 39.6% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 5.9%, and Kuwait for 5.4%. Together, these three markets represented 51.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Lebanon's pastry exports were valued at 9 395 thousand US dollars, representing a 33.8% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 022 thousand US dollars, while exports peaked in 2018 at 13 977 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 49.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 51.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait remained the three largest markets for Lebanon's pastry exports in value terms. Together, these countries accounted for 51.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pastry to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon imported 1 732 tonnes of pastry in 2020, representing a sharp decrease of 57.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 58.1%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 25.2%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's import sources for pastry were quite diverse. Turkey accounted for 27.5% of imports, Egypt for 11.7%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 48.2% of total import flows, while the remaining 51.8% came from numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2020 at 12 934 thousand US dollars, while imports peaked in 2018 at 48 947 thousand US dollars, creating a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon's pastry imports decreased by 70.8% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 6.6%.

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

Lebanon's import structure in value terms was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. Turkey accounted for 20.8% of imports, Egypt for 12.1%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 42.3% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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