Gingerbread market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

Estonia's gingerbread market volume rose from 1 131 t in 2018 to 1 356 t by 2020, fueled by the entry of new producers and the emergence of craft and custom-made segments that broadened consumer appeal. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced this trend by shifting demand toward local food and prompting a rapid expansion of e-commerce channels.

After a modest contraction to 1 321 t in 2021, the market regained momentum in 2022, reaching 1 361.6 t. This recovery was aided by the launch of healthier and vegan product lines and amplified by marketing through social media. The PiparkoogiMaania exhibition also played a role by attracting consumer attention to innovative gingerbread offerings.

In the following years, market volume receded to 1 286.3 t in 2023 before climbing back to 1 315.3 t in 2024, indicating a period of stabilization without significant new market stimuli.

Production gingerbread in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's gingerbread production value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 2 072 K $ US, representing a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 13.3%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following a two-year decline, Estonia's gingerbread production volume increased in 2021. The country produced 794.1 t of gingerbread, marking a modest gain of 6.0% over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 749.4 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.9% drop.

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

Exports gingerbread from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's gingerbread exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 209.8 t, rising by 12.0% from 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 34.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 13.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 174.4 t, which also saw the largest decline of 45.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Finland, and Latvia formed the core group of partners for Estonia's gingerbread exports in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 43.4% of exports, Finland for 23.2%, and Latvia for 20.0%. Together, these three countries represented 86.6% of total export flows.

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

In 2021, Estonia's gingerbread exports amounted to 528 K $ US, showing a slight decline of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 494 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.3%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 10.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Finland, Lithuania, and Russia were the main destinations for Estonia's gingerbread exports in value terms. Finland accounted for 38.9% of exports, while Lithuania and Russia each represented 21.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 82.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports gingerbread to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Estonia's gingerbread import volume declined in 2021. The country imported 736.8 t of gingerbread, down by 7.2% compared to 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 794.0 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 20.3% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Ukraine, and Russia were the primary suppliers of gingerbread to Estonia in volume terms. Latvia accounted for 51.1% of imports, Ukraine for 12.6%, and Russia for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 73.9% of total import flows.

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's gingerbread imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 491 K $ US, marking a modest uptick of 7.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 10.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 349 K $ US, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Latvia, Sweden, and Poland led the ranking of suppliers for Estonia's gingerbread imports in value terms. Latvia accounted for 40.7% of imports, Sweden for 13.1%, and Poland for 8.3%. Their combined share reached 62.1% of total import flows.

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

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