Gingerbread and the like, sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Slovenian market for gingerbread, sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers showed moderate volume fluctuations, underpinned by a long-standing local production tradition dating back to the 19th century. Market volume reached 18 377 tonnes in 2020, then contracted over the next two years before recovering to 18 669 tonnes in 2024. In value terms, the market exhibited stronger growth, rising from 59 401 thousand US dollars in 2020 to 80 169 thousand US dollars in 2024, reflecting higher prices or a shift toward more premium products.

The market recovery from 2023 onward was supported by the rapid expansion of e‑commerce and online sales in Slovenia, which improved product accessibility and distribution reach. Simultaneously, increasing consumer focus on health and wellness stimulated the development of new segments, such as gluten‑free and plant‑based biscuits, broadening the product assortment and attracting additional demand.

In 2024, further factors came into play, including legislative preparations for a higher VAT rate on sugary beverages scheduled for 2025, which may have influenced consumer expectations. Ongoing digitalization and changes in waste‑management and accounting regulations also affected production operations, contributing to the market's upward momentum.

Production gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Slovenia's production of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers was valued at 15 094 thousand US dollars, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Slovenia produced 3 194 tonnes of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers, which represents a 9.4% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

Exports gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovenia's export volume of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 2 423 tonnes, down by 9.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 677 tonnes, with the largest increase of 13.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Austria were the key destinations for Slovenia's exports in kind. Croatia accounted for 50.6% of exports, Italy for 17.1%, and Austria for 12.3%, together representing 80.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers exported from Slovenia totaled 10 653 thousand US dollars, a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 460 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.6% occurring that year. The highest value was in 2019 at 10 789 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia, Austria, and Italy were the top buyers of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from Slovenia in value terms. Croatia accounted for 35.8% of exports, Austria for 17.3%, and Italy for 17.2%, with their combined share reaching 70.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports gingerbread, biscuits, waffles and wafers to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's imports of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 17 607 tonnes, up by 3.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 16 547 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%. The largest increase of 3.2% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Croatia, and Germany were the largest suppliers of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Slovenia in kind. Italy accounted for 20.7% of imports, Croatia for 14.7%, and Germany for 14.5%, together making up 49.9% of total import volume amid a diverse range of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's imports of gingerbread and similar products, sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers in value terms increased for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports totaled 54 959 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 2.0% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 53 068 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.6%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Italy, Germany, and Poland as the leading suppliers. Italy accounted for 17.5% of imports, Germany for 15.7%, and Poland for 15.3%, together representing only 48.5% of total import value, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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