Pastry market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The pastry market in Western Africa began the period with a volume of 95.6 thousand tonnes in 2018, characterized by a consumer shift toward quality and premium products in line with global trends. After a slight stabilization to 94.4 thousand tonnes in 2019, the market expanded to 110.0 thousand tonnes in 2020. This growth coincided with the announcement by Africa Food Manufacturing S.A. of plans for large-scale daily pasta production in Cameroon, signaling industrial development in the region with positive spillover effects for the bakery and pastry sector.

Market growth accelerated significantly, reaching 147.6 thousand tonnes in 2022 and surging to 212.9 thousand tonnes in 2023. The sharp increase in 2023 was driven by record-high cocoa prices, which led major agri-food groups to make forward purchases, thereby boosting traded volumes. Concurrently, the market structure evolved with the growth of branded chains and franchises, contributing to overall expansion despite the sector's fragmented nature.

Entering 2024, the market was influenced by rising costs for key ingredients like flour, butter, and sugar, as well as higher energy expenses. Underlying demand continued to be supported by increasing incomes and urbanization in West Africa. Furthermore, the inauguration of new agro-industrial plants, such as that of Groupe Cadyst Invest in Cameroon, marked continued investment in production capacity within the region.

Production pastry in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Western Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 77 283 tonnes of pastry, marking a 17.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of pastry output in Western Africa was 163.8 million US dollars, down 10.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12%, translating to an annualized decline of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 145.2 million US dollars. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.0% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 26.7%.

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

Exports pastry from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 698 tonnes of pastry, reflecting a steep decline of 62.9% compared to the prior year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 881 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 217.1% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for pastry exports from Western Africa was quite broad. Chad accounted for 15.8% of exports in kind, Thailand for 3.2%, and Gabon for 1.3%, together representing only 20.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values varied 5.4 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, cross-border shipments of pastry from Western Africa totaled 1 480 thousand US dollars, which is 71.8% less than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 248 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 146.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for pastry exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Thailand represented 12.6% of exports in value terms, Chad 9.2%, and France 4.4%, jointly accounting for 26.1% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 73.9%.

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

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

Imports pastry to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Africa's pastry imports reached 33 443 tonnes, showing a robust rise of 10.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, China, and India continued to lead as suppliers of pastry to Western Africa. Turkey accounted for 26.5% of imports in kind, China for 17.1%, and India for 12.2%, jointly taking 55.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, pastry shipments to Western Africa from abroad stood at 28 417 thousand US dollars, marking a strong improvement of 16.4% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 419 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, China, and Turkey were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of pastry imports to Western Africa in value terms. France accounted for 26.9% of imports in value terms, China for 14.9%, and Turkey for 10.2%, with a combined share of 52.0% of total flows.

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

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