Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery market fluctuated between 4.9 thousand tons and 7.2 thousand tons from 2018 to 2024. After a dip to 4.9 thousand tons in 2020, the market entered a phase of strong expansion, peaking at 7.2 thousand tons in 2023 before contracting to 6.6 thousand tons in 2024.

The market's robust growth from 2021 to 2023 was primarily driven by the emergence and popularity of new product segments like pastilles, gummies, and chews, which appealed to both adults and children. Concurrently, a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier, sugar-free options increased demand, supported by product launches featuring alternative sweeteners. Furthermore, global supply challenges and high prices for cocoa made sugar confectionery without cocoa a more attractive alternative for consumers, contributing to market expansion.

In 2024, the market volume declined as supplies from abroad decreased, ending a multi-year rising trend in imports. While consumer interest in sugar-free and natural sweetener products remained a defining feature of the market, this reduction in imported volumes was a key factor in the overall market contraction for that year.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 10 066 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 21.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually decreased by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest point was recorded in 2020 at 8 269 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 23.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2018-2021

Following two years of contraction, Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production saw growth in 2021. The country produced 2 025 tons, representing a substantial 38.0% increase over the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 467 tons, while the most significant decline happened in 2019 with a 19.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports expanded in 2021. The country exported 1 588 tons, showing a solid 10.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, exports actually decreased by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 442 tons, which also saw the most significant drop of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania consistently served as Estonia's primary export partners for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms. Latvia accounted for 49.8% of exports, Finland for 19.6%, and Lithuania for 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 82.3% of Estonia's total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms recovered in 2021. The country exported goods worth 8 183 thousand US dollars, representing an 18.0% year-over-year increase. However, over the broader period from 2018 to 2021, export values decreased by 19.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 6 932 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the most significant drop of 22.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania formed the core markets for Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms. Latvia accounted for 29.2% of export value, Finland for 27.8%, and Lithuania for 16.4%. Collectively, these three partners represented 73.4% of Estonia's total export value during these years.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia imported 5 200 tons of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, representing a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 897 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 486 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 10.7% decrease, while the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 7.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

An analysis of Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in volume terms from 2018 to 2021 reveals a diverse distribution across multiple markets. Germany accounted for 13.4% of imports, Finland for 9.6%, and Ukraine for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 67.8% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia imported cocoa-free sugar confectionery worth 24 562 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 12.1% year-over-year increase. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, import values decreased by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 21 916 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 25 764 thousand US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2020 with a 14.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 12.6% of import value, Finland for 9.5%, and Poland for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 31.4% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021