Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
The world market for bread and bakery products has been confronted with some onerous challenges over the past five years. A breakdown of eating patterns in the traditionally high-bread-consuming nations of Europe and North America has given way to new tastes and a more concentrated marketplace. This has been offset by countries in Asia and Eastern Europe, who have significantly increased their demand and consumption of European-style bread products, driven by rising levels of affluence and an embracing of Western values. The maturity of core developed markets in regions such as North America and Western Europe has meant growth has been increasingly driven by the development of added-value products such as organic and fortified breads, or others with nutritive and health-related claims... read more
Industry Locations
The industry continues to be dominated by the European continent, in particular Western Europe, which produces an estimated 25 million tonnes per annum. Germany and the United Kingdom are the main operators, together accounting for 60% of plant production while France, the Netherlands and Spain produce an additional 20% between them. While Europe has a historic tradition of bread and bakery products being a part of the staple diet, cultures of India and the Middle East have also been long-time bread consumers. Over the past five years however, there has been increased concentration of Western-style bread and bakery products within this segment, as rising levels of affluence and changing aspirations have positively stimulated demand... read more