Eastern Europe

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…

Total volume sales stagnated in spirits as household budgets remained under pressure in Latvia from the high costs of living. The strong performance in 2022 was fuelled by the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, which boosted sales in horeca…

Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages are the second fastest-growing category in Slovenia, trailing only behind cider/perry. The primary factor driving this growth is convenience. RTDs offer an easy and quick way to enjoy a drink without the need for mixing…

RTDs saw heavy losses in total volume terms in 2023. In Lithuania, the category has a reputation of low quality with many consumers avoiding RTDs due to high levels of sugar, which can cause more harm than other alcoholic drinks. Concerns over rising…

RTDs have a strong presence in Latvia but due to its maturity volume sales have slowed in 2023. The lack of regular product innovations in this year, in what is usually a pretty vibrant category, has also contributed to flat volume growth. RTDs…

In 2023, cider emerged as the fastest-growing category of alcoholic drinks in Slovenia. Its increasing popularity can be attributed to the well-known health benefits of its ingredients and the high number of apples produced locally. Consumers are…

Volume sales of cider/perry plummeted in Lithuania during 2023 due to strong preference for alternatives. Consumers are put off from buying cider due to its high sugar content, a feature that even self-indulgent consumers tend to avoid. With…

Cider/perry grew well in Latvia during 2023 with the hot summer creating additional demand for this alcoholic beverage which is normally served very cold. Cider continued to gain back the losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic with the on-trade…

In 2023, the overall consumption of beer in Slovenia continued its decline as consumers increasingly shifted towards spirits, particularly gin and rum, which have become popular as social and luxury beverages. This trend is bolstered by a growing…

The year 2023 was a challenging for beer in Lithuania where volume sales in the both the off-trade and on-trade declined. Retail sales of beer fell into decline due to price inflation and concerns regarding the economy. On-trade beer volumes started…

Volume sales of beer decreased in 2023 due to strong price inflation which forced consumers to cut back on consumption. In the difficult economic climate, consumers switched to wine, RTDs, as well as spirits for mixing drinks. On-trade volume sales…