U.S. Bread and Bakery Price Falls Modestly to $4,105 per Ton

U.S. Bread and Bakery Import Price in November 2022

In November 2022, the bread and bakery price stood at $4,105 per ton (CIF, US), dropping by -4.6% against the previous month. Over the period from January 2022 to November 2022, it increased at an average monthly rate of +1.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in August 2022 when the average import price increased by 5.3% month-to-month. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $4,302 per ton in October 2022, and then declined slightly in the following month.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In November 2022, the country with the highest price was France ($7,020 per ton), while the price for Mexico ($2,362 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to November 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Bread and Bakery Import Prices by Type

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplied products. In November 2022, the product with the highest price was crispbread, rusks and toasted bread ($5,202 per ton), while the price for gingerbread, sweet biscuits and waffles ($3,883 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to November 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by gingerbread, sweet biscuit and waffle (+2.3%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Bread and Bakery Imports

In November 2022, supplies from abroad of bread and bakery decreased by -6% to 218K tons for the first time since June 2022, thus ending a four-month rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.8% over the period from January 2022 to November 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2022 with an increase of 20% against the previous month. Imports peaked at 232K tons in October 2022, and then contracted in the following month.

In value terms, bread and bakery imports declined to $896M (IndexBox estimates) in November 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a notable increase from January 2022 to November 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +3.4% over the last ten-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on November 2022 figures, imports decreased by -10.3% against October 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2022 when imports increased by 20% month-to-month. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 999K tons in October 2022, and then declined in the following month.

U.S. Bread and Bakery Imports by Type

Fresh bread and miscellaneous bakery (139K tons), gingerbread, sweet biscuits and waffles (76K tons) and crispbread, rusks and toasted bread (4.1K tons) were the main products of bread and bakery imports to the United States.

From January 2022 to November 2022, the biggest increases were in fresh bread and miscellaneous bakery (with a CAGR of +1.8%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, fresh bread and miscellaneous bakery ($581M), gingerbread, sweet biscuits and waffles ($293M) and crispbread, rusks and toasted bread ($21M) constituted the most imported types of bread and bakery in the United States.

U.S. Bread and Bakery Imports by Country

Canada (87K tons), Mexico (80K tons) and Italy (6.2K tons) were the main suppliers of bread and bakery imports to the United States, together comprising 79% of total imports. India, France and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.7%.

From January 2022 to November 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($455M) constituted the largest supplier of bread and bakery to the United States, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($189M), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 4.5% share.

From January 2022 to November 2022, the average monthly growth rate of value from Canada totaled +4.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Mexico (+2.0% per month) and Italy (+4.3% per month).

Factors Affecting Bread and Bakery Prices

Bread and bakery prices in the United States have been on the rise in recent years, due to a number of factors. One of the main drivers of this price increase has been the rising cost of wheat, which is a key ingredient in bread and other baked goods.

The cost of wheat has risen sharply due to weather-related supply disruptions and increased global demand. Other factors that have contributed to higher bread and bakery prices include higher labor costs, rent price, transportation costs, and packaging costs.

With wages rising, particularly in urban areas, bakers and other food industry workers are demanding higher salaries, which ultimately gets passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices. The price of rent or owning a bakery has gone up in many areas of the country as commercial real estate values have increased.

Despite these price increases, Americans continue to consume large quantities of bread and other baked goods. In fact, per capita consumption of bread in the United States has increased in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that bread and baked goods are relatively affordable compared to other food items, and they are also convenient and easy to eat. As a result, even though prices have gone up, demand for bread and bakery products remains strong.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform