United Kingdom’s Sweet Biscuit Market Forecast to Grow at 2.8% CAGR

IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom - Sweet Biscuits Without Chocolate - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The UK sweet biscuit market is forecast for modest growth, with volume projected to reach 308K tons by 2035 (CAGR +1.3%) and value to hit $1.6B (CAGR +2.8%). Despite a consumption dip in 2024 to 267K tons, long-term demand is expected to rise. Domestic production has declined, leading to increased reliance on imports, which reached 170K tons, primarily from the Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Exports also grew to 103K tons, with Ireland, the US, and Australia as key destinations. Import and export prices have been steadily increasing.

Key Findings

• Market forecast to grow to 308K tons and $1.6B by 2035
• Domestic production is on a declining trend, falling to 200K tons in 2024
• The UK is a net importer, with 170K tons of imports mainly from the Netherlands and Germany
• Exports saw a 12% increase to 103K tons, led by shipments to Ireland and the US
• Both import and export prices have risen, reaching $4,498 and $4,732 per ton respectively

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for sweet biscuit in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 308K tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.6B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

United Kingdom's Consumption of Sweet Biscuits

In 2024, consumption of sweet biscuits decreased by -7.1% to 267K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 330K tons. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the consumption remained at a lower figure.

The revenue of the sweet biscuit market in the UK declined to $1.2B in 2024, waning by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $1.2B, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Production

United Kingdom's Production of Sweet Biscuits

Sweet biscuit production in the UK fell slightly to 200K tons in 2024, flattening at 2023. In general, production showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 25%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 288K tons. From 2018 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet biscuit production totaled $922M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Sweet biscuit production peaked at $1.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

Imports

United Kingdom's Imports of Sweet Biscuits

In 2024, after two years of growth, there was decline in purchases abroad of sweet biscuits, when their volume decreased by -4.3% to 170K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 178K tons in 2023, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, sweet biscuit imports rose slightly to $766M in 2024. Overall, total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +69.0% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The Netherlands (52K tons), Germany (28K tons) and the Czech Republic (19K tons) were the main suppliers of sweet biscuit imports to the UK, together accounting for 58% of total imports. Belgium, Spain, Poland, France, Italy, Ireland and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +9.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($191M), Germany ($145M) and the Czech Republic ($100M) were the largest sweet biscuit suppliers to the UK, together comprising 57% of total imports.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +16.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average sweet biscuit import price amounted to $4,498 per ton, increasing by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($6,584 per ton), while the price for Spain ($3,372 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+7.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

United Kingdom's Exports of Sweet Biscuits

In 2024, sweet biscuit exports from the UK expanded significantly to 103K tons, with an increase of 12% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a slight decline. The exports peaked at 123K tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet biscuit exports stood at $487M in 2024. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at $496M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Ireland (25K tons) was the main destination for sweet biscuit exports from the UK, accounting for a 25% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet biscuit exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Australia (10K tons), twofold. The United States (9.1K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.8% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland amounted to -4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Australia (+9.1% per year) and the United States (+6.2% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($118M), the United States ($65M) and Australia ($36M) constituted the largest markets for sweet biscuit exported from the UK worldwide, together accounting for 45% of total exports. The Netherlands, France, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Sweden and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +18.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average sweet biscuit export price amounted to $4,732 per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 an increase of 24%. The export price peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($7,171 per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($2,304 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.