Western Europe

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks in Finland will struggle to generate any more than marginal growth in retail volume terms in 2024,in the context of the high cost of living. Such products also face heavy competition from other types of…

The briefing explores structural drivers of inflation and their impact on the global economy and business environment. Factors such as demographics changes, globalisation reset, decarbonisation, AI revolution and higher debt levels would add to the…

The Antwerp in Belgium report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

Total baby food packaging volumes continued to rise in Switzerland in 2023. Flexible aluminium/paper and folding cartons are the primary pack types favoured for dried baby food in Switzerland, primarily due to their lightweight nature, which enhances…

Baby food packaging volumes maintained solid growth in the Netherlands in 2023. Prepared baby food maintained its rise in packaging volumes, as these products offer convenience to time-pressed parents. Glass jars and stand-up pouches remained the…

The Brussels in Belgium report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

Chocolate confectionery in Austria recorded slight volume growth in 2024 with current value growth remaining strong amid price increases. Average unit prices continue to rise in line with the higher cost of commodities. In particular, the steep…

In contrast to other snacks categories, unit prices in chocolate confectionery continued to increase in 2024. Manufacturers were confronted by rising cocoa prices which were passed on to consumers. With the effects of the inflation crisis still…

The market for chocolate confectionery in Greece is set to modest growth in retail volume terms in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. Demand is being impacted by ongoing price rises, as input costs spiral to an all-time high. Cacao…

At the end of the review period, chocolate confectionery in Turkey continues to benefit as consumers remain willing to spend more on indulgence and treats, to pamper themselves or improve their mood, despite rising unit prices amid a highly…

Total confectionery packaging volumes in Switzerland saw a marginal decline in 2023. Countlines, which is one of the largest categories in chocolate confectionery in terms of packaging volumes, saw a similar slight decline in 2023. Flexible plastic…

Total confectionery packaging volumes continued to fall in the Netherlands in 2023, with declines for chocolate confectionery and gum, and a rise for sugar confectionery. Although rises in consumer prices resulted in an increase in value sales of…

Total dairy packaging volumes in Switzerland saw another year of decline in 2023, in a normalisation trend after an exceptional year in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, although volumes remained above the pre-pandemic level. This same pattern…

Total dairy packaging volumes saw a second year of decline in the Netherlands in 2023, although this was continued normalisation after the higher volumes seen during the pandemic, and packaging volumes remained above the 2019 level. Thin wall plastic…

Gum enjoyed stable performance in volume and current value terms in 2024. Gum is mainly consumed out of the house and so the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions has pushed up demand for chewing gum since 2023. With consumers spending more time on the…

Gum has rebounded well from the pandemic and volume sales are stabilising amid the greater normality of consumer lifestyles. Strong promotional activity, innovation and the trend towards smaller portions have supported volume growth in 2024.…

Within the context of further retail price increases, demand for gum in Greece is expected to show a modest decline in 2024. Chewing gum is largely an impulse purchase, and with consumers struggling with the high cost of living, many are cutting down…

Despite the negative effects of high inflation on consumer budgets, gum in Turkey is expected to record a second consecutive year of slight retail volume growth over 2024. In addition to traditional breath freshening attributes, consumers have been…

Ice cream sales in Austria are set to record stable volume growth during 2024 following its slight decline in 2023. Ice cream is shaped by new product launches, line extensions and new, interesting flavours. In addition, sales are dependent on the…

Ice cream consumption in Belgium is traditionally very much dependant on the weather. Following the exceptionally hot spring and summer of 2022, weather conditions in Belgium were not as good in 2023. This factor, coupled with strong price increases,…