Pastry market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in South Africa experienced volatility from 2018 to 2021. In physical terms, market volume rose from 21 126 tons in 2018 to a peak of 28 502 tons in 2019, then declined over the next two years to 22 707 tons in 2021. In value terms, the market fluctuated, reaching a low of 53 834 thousand USD in 2019 before recovering to 58 203 thousand USD in 2021.

From 2022 onward, the market resumed growth. Volume increased to 26 841 tons, while value surged to 73 817 thousand USD. This uplift coincided with the emergence of new pastry trends such as hybrid items like bonuts and crookies, artisanal and heritage baking, which stimulated consumer demand for novelty and comfort foods. Simultaneously, proposed changes to food labeling legislation, including mandatory black-and-white warning labels for unhealthy products, began to influence the industry, prompting manufacturers to adapt. Growth continued in 2023, with market volume reaching 28 797 tons and value 81 110 thousand USD, indicating sustained market expansion.

Production pastry in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of pastry, 2018-2021

World map of production of pastry, 2018-2021

South Africa's pastry production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 27 823 tonnes of pastry, marking a slight year-on-year increase of 0.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's pastry production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 58 089 thousand US dollars, showing a significant advance of 12.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production increased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 44 392 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 13.0%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports pastry from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's volume of pastry exports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 16 177 tonnes of pastry, down by 9.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 25%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 23 117 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 22.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Botswana, and Lesotho formed the core group of markets for South Africa's pastry exports in kind. Namibia accounted for 30.7% of exports, Botswana for 18.6%, and Lesotho for 11.3%, together representing 60.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, South Africa's pastry export value has increased. In 2021, export volume totalled 33 774 thousand US dollars, which is 0.7% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 33 526 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Botswana, and Lesotho were the main markets for South Africa's pastry exports in value terms. Namibia held a 32.6% share, Botswana 17.1%, and Lesotho 9.3%, together accounting for 58.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports pastry to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Foreign pastry supplies to South Africa have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 11 061 tonnes, showing a steep fall of 27.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 30%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 258 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 36.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 53.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

The country composition of pastry imports in kind to South Africa from 2018 to 2021 was dispersed. Malaysia accounted for 14.1% of imports, Lesotho for 13.8%, and the United Kingdom for 8.4%, together forming just 36.3% of total flows. The remaining 63.7% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's pastry import volume has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 33 888 thousand US dollars of pastry, corresponding to a modest drop of 6.0% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 29.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the country structure of pastry imports in value terms to South Africa remained highly diversified. Malaysia accounted for 13.0% of imports, the United Kingdom for 9.2%, and Germany for 8.9%, together representing only 31.1% of total flows. A long tail of smaller markets formed the remaining 68.9%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021