Food preparations for infants market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The market for infant food preparations in Sweden, measured in volume, expanded from 16 422 t in 2018 to 19 224 t in 2022, before contracting to 16 824 t in 2024. In value terms, the market declined from USD 86.4 million in 2018 to USD 72.1 million in 2022, then stabilized around USD 71.5 million in 2024, indicating a shift in product mix or lower average prices over the period.

The volume growth leading up to 2022 was supported by regulatory developments aimed at standardizing and improving product quality. In 2021, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) published knowledge-based documents with specific goals and indicators for grain-based foods and baby food. This initiative likely encouraged manufacturers to innovate and enhance labeling clarity, contributing to increased market volume.

The subsequent decline in market volume after 2022 coincided with updated national dietary guidelines. The 'Riksmaten småbarn' survey for 2021–2024 reinforced recommendations for breastfeeding, which may have reduced demand for certain infant food preparations. Concurrently, broader shifts in consumer preferences were observed, including a marked decline in flour and cereal consumption alongside a rise in dairy product intake, influencing the demand composition for infant foods. By 2024, new Swedish dietary guidelines emphasizing domestic dairy products and revised industry hygiene rules began to shape the production landscape, though the overall market volume had decreased.

Production food preparations for infants in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of food preparations for infants, 2017-2020

World map of production of food preparations for infants, 2017-2020

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports food preparations for infants from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Sweden's exports of food preparations for infants rebounded. In 2020, Sweden exported 10 356 tons, marking a significant 38.7% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 29.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 465 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Finland, and Denmark were the primary destinations for Sweden's exports of food preparations for infants in terms of volume. Norway accounted for 31.8% of exports, Finland for 19.6%, and Denmark for 14.9%. Together, these three countries absorbed 66.3% of Sweden's total exports in this category.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's exports of food preparations for infants in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 51 712 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 49.0% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 47.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 726 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Norway, Denmark, and Czechia were the largest buyers of food preparations for infants from Sweden in value terms. Norway led with 34.8% of exports, followed by Denmark at 14.3% and Czechia at 14.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 63.3% of Sweden's total export value in this category.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020

Imports food preparations for infants to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year increase, Sweden's imports of food preparations for infants in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 12 763 tons, a slight decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 9.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 927 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Portugal, and Denmark were the key partners for Sweden's imports of food preparations for infants in volume terms. Spain accounted for 38.5% of imports, Portugal for 15.2%, and Denmark for 14.2%. Together, these three countries made up 67.9% of Sweden's total import volume in this category.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's imports of food preparations for infants in value terms remained stable in 2020, with a total of 44 338 thousand US dollars, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 7.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 45 228 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017–2020 period, Spain, Germany, and France were the main sources for Sweden's imports of food preparations for infants in value terms. Spain contributed 28.8% of imports, Germany 18.2%, and France 16.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 63.5% of Sweden's total import value in this category.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020