Pastry market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in MERCOSUR saw initial growth from 110.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 114.4 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the expansion of the bakery and pastry industry and the influence of major players like Grupo Bimbo. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and reduced impulsive purchases, causing the market to contract to 108.2 thousand tons, with a further decline to 101.7 thousand tons in 2021 as pandemic effects lingered.

Market recovery became evident in 2022, with volume stabilizing at 102.3 thousand tons before jumping to 123.8 thousand tons in 2023. This rebound was driven by heightened demand for prepared and artisanal pastries, alongside a consumer shift towards healthy, organic, vegan, and low-sugar products. The entry of new specialty bakeries, such as Ladurée in Mexico City, and rising demand for personalized celebration items further stimulated growth. Product innovation and the diversification of distribution channels, including e-commerce and modern retail, supported market adaptation throughout the period.

Production pastry in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in MERCOSUR rebounded in 2020 after declining for two consecutive years. In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 112.9 K t of pastry, marking a 10.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 101.8 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 2.6% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MERCOSUR's pastry production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 548.5 M $ US, representing a modest reduction of 4.0% compared to the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 602.6 M $ US. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 5.2% fall, while the largest increase was in 2018 with an 11.9% rise.

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

Exports pastry from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 27 697 t of pastry, reflecting a sharp increase of 83.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 072 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 50.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pastry exports from MERCOSUR were not concentrated on a few key markets. The United States accounted for 15.3% of exports in kind, Chile for 11.3%, and Bolivia for 5.5%, with these three countries together representing only 32.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, MERCOSUR's pastry exports amounted to 72.8 M $ US, reflecting a decrease of 6.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 7.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 3.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MERCOSUR traded pastry with many countries, and even the largest destinations—the United States, Chile, and Peru—together represented only 32.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports pastry to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, pastry imports into MERCOSUR declined in 2020. Imports stood at 23 031 t, showing a notable contraction of 16.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 31.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 27 641 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 29.0% rise.

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

The analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Belgium accounted for 6.8% of imports in kind, Spain for 3.8%, and France for 3.0%, with these three countries together representing only 13.7% of total flows, while the remaining 86.3% came from other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pastry imports into MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported approximately 75.8 M $ US of pastry, down by 22.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 102.8 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.2% rise.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Belgium accounted for 11.8% of imports in value terms, Italy for 4.7%, and Malaysia for 4.4%, with these three countries together representing just 20.9% of total flows, and no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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