Rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The market for rusks and toasted bread in Sweden saw its volume expand from 3,961 t in 2020 to 4,347 t in 2021. The initial period was influenced by the recovery from a fire at the Polarbröd bakery, which stabilized raw material supplies, alongside pandemic-related disruptions in global supply chains that affected availability.

By 2023, the market volume contracted to 3,999 t. This decline was primarily driven by sharply increased food prices in 2022–2023, which dampened consumer demand, coupled with the introduction of new producer responsibility rules for packaging that raised operational costs. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices from 2022 significantly elevated input costs for the entire food industry.

Structural factors also shaped the market landscape throughout the period. Long-term contracts between primary producers and processors, highlighted by the Swedish Competition Authority, continued to limit market entry for new players. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for sustainable and healthy products, such as whole-grain options, influenced demand patterns.

Production rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Sweden's exports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products rebounded in 2020. The country exported 9 201 tonnes of these products that year, marking an 11.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 222 tonnes, while the smallest decline occurred in 2018 at just 0.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Sweden's exports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products in volume terms, accounting for 72.1% of total shipments. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's exports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products reached 31 359 thousand US dollars, representing a strong 12.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 12.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27 770 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France was the dominant market for Sweden's exports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products in value terms, capturing 72.3% of total flows. Other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 2 364 tonnes of these products that year, reflecting a 3.3% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volumes grew by 10.1%, equating to an average annual rate of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland, Italy, and Germany were the primary suppliers of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products to Sweden in volume terms. Finland accounted for 28.2% of imports, Italy for 15.0%, and Germany for 12.5%, with these three countries together representing 55.7% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden imported rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products worth 2 364 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 2.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 9.5%, with an average annual rate of 3.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 9.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Italy, Finland, and the Netherlands remained the leading sources for Sweden's imports of rusks, toasted bread, and similar toasted products in value terms. Italy accounted for 27.4% of imports, Finland for 24.6%, and the Netherlands for 9.5%, with these three countries collectively representing 61.6% of total import value.

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

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