Eastern Europe

Sales of soft drinks have been significantly impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine and soaring inflation. Besides the resulting decline in the population and the loss of territories, the market also faces other obstacles including consumers downtrading…

The PET bottle is the dominant pack type in Polish soft drinks, in the retail channel in particular. PET bottles are seen as a convenient option for many soft drink products, such as carbonates and bottled water, as they come in various pack sizes,…

The continued trend of bulk buying, even post-pandemic, coupled with a preference for online shopping, has led consumers to opt for larger quantities of bottled water, prioritising cost-effectiveness and stockpiling. Multipack offerings can help…

In 2024, spectacle lenses maintained their position as the primary growth driver within spectacles, surpassing frames and readymade reading glasses in both retail value and volume terms. The necessity for regular replacement of spectacle lenses due…

Spectacles in Romania is set to see total volume sales contract for a third consecutive year in 2024, with the rate of decline expected to be slightly steeper than in 2023. Overall demand continues to be depressed by high inflation, in that rising…

Consumer demand for spirits witnessed a significant slowdown in 2023, marked by minimal total volume growth across the category. This trend was characterised by mixed performances among the three largest spirits categories. While whisky categories…

In 2023, the consumption of spirits in Bulgaria increased with volume sales rising well in on-trade venues but declining marginally in retailers. Current value growth was fuelled by price rises after a long period of stability. Nevertheless, the…

In 2023, the frequency of spirits consumption in Croatia saw a notable increase, as social activities both in on-trade and off-trade settings began to resemble pre-pandemic patterns. Retailers observed a heightened demand for spirits, with products…

Eastern Europe is still leading in spirits per capita consumption globally. Despite vodka continuing to dominate spirits, consumer taste preferences shift towards flavour sophistication. This drives other spirits, whiskies and brandy. Mid- and…

In 2023, spirits in Estonia experienced a calmer year compared to previous ones. After the fluctuations during the pandemic, sales of spirits demonstrated a more stagnant performance. The product area took a breather, stabilising after the volatility…

In 2023, the influx of immigrants from Russia did not significantly impact vodka sales in Georgia, resulting in a subdued growth compared to the previous year. Consumption of spirits remained relatively constant, with distinct preferences observed…

Total volume sales of spirits increased slightly in Hungary in 2023. A small yet affluent customer segment, characterised by a higher level of knowledge about spirits and a discerning taste for quality, continued to drive the market for premium…

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…

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…

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…

The average unit price of spirits in Poland rose sharply in 2023 due to high inflation, an increase in production costs, and a further increase in the excise tax rate by 5%. Although these price rises translated into strong growth in current value…

Spirits suffered from inflationary pressures in 2023 with higher input costs associated with energy and raw materials driving up average prices in Romania. Excise duty also increased in January 2023 which contributed to price growth and the weaker…

Spirits volume sales slowed down in 2023 with the on-trade responsible for most of the growth in Serbia. The on-trade sector is steadily recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and should see a full rebound in volume sales during 2024. With the rate of…

Total volume sales of spirits in Slovakia continued to decline in 2023, Growth was impacted by mounting inflationary pressures, which weighed heavily on consumer purchasing power, especially when it came to discretionary items. Excise taxes for…

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…