Which country consumes the most bread in the world? And the least?

Bread is a staple food that was consumed by 80% of the world's population during the year 2022. It comes in various shapes, flavours and textures according to various culinary preferences. Between 2018 and 2022, the bread market registered an annual growth rate of 2% in new launches of its derivatives. Considering the “Global Trends in Bread and Bread Products” report published by Innova Market Insights, the growing demand for healthier options is a prominent trend in the bread market.

Consumers continue to place more emphasis on health and seek products made with whole grains, natural ingredients and reduced sugar content. This has led to the rise of artisanal and specialty types of bread, such as sourdough and multigrain bread, which are perceived as healthier alternatives. Asia is more likely to prefer breads with additional health benefits than the global average.

And the big question we ask ourselves is which countries consume the most bread on the planet? According to World of Statistics, the 10 countries that are at the top of bread consumption per capita per year are Turkey (199.6 kg), Serbia (135 kg), Bulgaria (131.1 kg), Ukraine (88 kg ), Cyprus (74 kg), Argentina (72 kg), Portugal (70 kg), Poland (70 kg), Denmark (70 kg) and Greece (70 kg).

But this does not stop here, since there are also the statistics of those countries that consume the least bread per person annually. These are India (1.75 kg), Nigeria (2.26 kg), Brazil (2.88 kg), Indonesia (4.7 kg), China (5.83 kg), United States (17 kg), South Africa (25.8 kg), Japan (28.3 kg), Mexico (33.5 kg) and the United Kingdom (37 kg).

Healthy bread options to include in your diet

Changes in habits have generated new lifestyles. This has brought with it food alternatives that are friendly to the planet and, in turn, generate a decrease in diseases such as strokes, hypertension, diabetes or cancer. Below, we present some healthy bread options that you can include in your diet.

Vegetable and vegan bread

With the growing popularity of plant-based diets, there has been an increase in demand for plant-based vegan bread products. These products increasingly cite plant-based claims, including V-label logos and egg-free formulas.

Western Europe is twice as likely to include vegan claims on new bread products compared to other regions.

Gluten-free bread

Gluten-free diets have gained ground among consumers who have sensitivity to this ingredient or celiac disease. Natural claims like gluten-free are already common in most regions of the world, but Latin America leads with a higher average serving of bread launches with gluten-free claims.

Traditional and artisanal bread varieties

Consumers are increasingly seeking unique and authentic bread experiences. Traditional bread types such as baguette, ciabatta and naan have gained global recognition and are now widely available in many markets.

Sustainability, one of the keys to projection in the bread market

As sustainability becomes a key concern for consumers, the bread market is adopting environmentally friendly practices. This includes sourcing ingredients from sustainable suppliers, reducing food waste and using eco-friendly packaging materials.

The global market for bread, and its derivatives, is experiencing significant changes driven by consumer preferences and dietary trends. Health and well-being, plant-based options, gluten-free varieties, traditional and artisanal breads, innovation and sustainability are some of the key trends that are shaping this market. As consumers continue to seek healthier and more diverse bread options, the market is expected to continue to evolve and adapt to meet their needs.