Understand the key trends shaping demand and future opportunities...
Understand the key trends shaping demand and future opportunities across industries in Eastern Europe, with the latest regional and country-level analysis and market statistics.
Sugar confectionery is seeing a negative-digit volume slump in 2024, whilst value is supported by price hikes. Notably, sugar confectionery falls under the shadow of the VAT increase, starting 1 January 2024, from 9% to 19% for food products with…
Spirits registered robust volume growth in 2023 with some consumers in North Macedonia drinking more spirits in place of beer and wine. With total volumes already well recovered from the pandemic in 2022, demand for spirits continues to rise…
Snacks in Romania is seeing a small negative-digit volume decline in 2024, with the volume decline in off-trade sales counteracting the small positive volume gains in on-trade terms. On the other hand, value sales are better supported by inflationary…
E-vapour products and heated tobacco products were the two most dynamic areas of tobacco in Slovenia in 2023. Increasing awareness about the harmful impact of smoking cigarettes and tobacco has resulted in some consumers switching to alternatives…
Savoury snacks is achieving positive volume and value growth in Romania in 2024. Sales are supported by the “snackification” trend, whereby consumers with busy, out-of-home lifestyles tend to eat fewer main meals and more snacks throughout the day.…
While convenience continued to drive demand for RTDs in North Macedonia over the review period, the category faced strong declines in 2023. Local consumers, especially young adults, are opting to drink spirits such as gin and whisky which are…
Ice cream is in a negative-digit volume slump in Romania in 2024, while value sales are better supported by price hikes. As in past years, ice cream continues to be strongly affected by the seasonal weather, with the warm season which starts in…
Gum is achieving positive volume and robust value sales in Romania in 2024. This is primarily attributed to consumers’ post-pandemic return to busy, out-of-home lifestyles, therefore reviving the role of gum as a breath freshener. Added to which, the…
Ecosystem partnerships is a critical factor for rapid scaling of leading digital wallets globally. Key usage factors are convenience, enhanced security and wide merchant acceptance. The short term focus includes cross-border transactions and…
Cigars and cigarillos saw steady growth in current value terms in 2023 with cigars seeing the strongest growth. The premiumisation trend was behind the strong value growth seen in cigars, with some consumers seeking a high quality and luxurious…
The consumption of cigarettes is declining in Slovenia. Constant campaigns to educate consumers about the dangers of smoking are helping to drive an ongoing decline in smoking prevalence and in the actual number of smokers of cigarettes. New plain…
Due to inconsistent consumer demand in North Macedonia, cider/perry witnessed volatility in sales over the review period. In 2023, cider/perry sales bounced back amid growing demand with double-digit volume growth and even stronger current value…
Chocolate confectionery is maintaining its strong penetration across households in Romania in 2024, thanks to such products’ indulgent qualities and the sense of wellbeing which eating chocolate can bring. However, chocolate confectionery is also…
Beer consumption slowed in North Macedonia over 2023 although total volume sales held steady. With inflation remaining well above normal levels, current value sales grew in double-digits with high prices across all beer categories. The off-trade saw…
Despite the economic challenges and negative demographic trends in 2023, alcoholic drinks witnessed moderate total volume growth in North Macedonia. The rising number of inbound tourists boosted the performance of most alcoholic drinks categories in…
In 2023, consumers in Slovenia increasingly shifted their preferences from wine to stronger spirits. This trend is particularly evident among the younger population, who consume alcohol primarily for social enjoyment and tend to prefer beverages with…
In 2023, wine volume sales declined in Lithuania for a second consecutive year as demand patterns normalised in the post-pandemic era. Price inflation and weak economic conditions have also forced consumers to cut-back on wine consumption. Off-trade…
Wine is relatively mature in Latvia, with a range of varieties and wide choice of products at different price points. The recovery of horeca has provided strong sales momentum although on-trade volume sales have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.…
In 2023, spirits emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories in alcoholic drinks in Slovenia. This surge in consumption is primarily driven by the perceived quality and association with status and sophistication. Rum and gin, in particular, have…
Volume sales of spirits declined in 2023, partly due to economic concerns in Lithuania. On-trade sales faced a challenging period during the second half of the year as the post-pandemic euphoria of going out slowed down. Consumers started reacting to…