Argentina's bakery sector sees sharp drop in bread and pastry sales

Bakeries in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area report that sales of bread have fallen about 60% and pastries (facturas) have collapsed up to 85% over the past year and a half, according to union representative Daniel Rodríguez. In La Plata, the sector estimates a roughly 30% decline in bread sales and a 60% drop in pastries, attributing the slump to the 2024 devaluation, soaring inflation and reduced consumer purchasing power.

Prices have risen sharply, with a kilo of bread now costing 2,800‑4,000 Argentine pesos and a dozen pastries ranging from 8,000 to 15,000 pesos. Bakeries face higher costs for electricity, gas, raw materials, taxes and labor, prompting many to cut staff, focus on basic items, and add ancillary services such as coffee, ice‑cream, empanadas or prepared meals to keep cash flow positive. Consumers are buying smaller quantities – often only 200‑300 g of bread or a few pastries – reflecting tighter household budgets.