Ice cream market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the physical volume of Estonia's ice cream market declined from 16.3 thousand tonnes to 14.8 thousand tonnes. This contraction was partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which altered consumer behavior and reduced consumption. Concurrently, the introduction of the Waste Act and its amendments imposed stricter packaging and waste handling obligations on producers, affecting production costs and market access.

Following the pandemic, the market recovered to 15.9 thousand tonnes in 2021. This rebound was supported by measures to finance separate waste collection infrastructure and regulatory changes that clarified requirements for placing products on the market, facilitating supply. However, in 2022, market volume fell again to 14.8 thousand tonnes as the state waste management plan for 2022-2028 was enacted, introducing new environmental fees and extended producer responsibility for packaging, which increased operational costs for manufacturers.

In 2023 and 2024, the market stabilized, reaching 15.3 thousand tonnes in 2024. Meanwhile, the market value continued its upward trend, exceeding $46.9 million in 2024, indicating a shift towards higher-value ice cream segments despite the fluctuating consumption volume.

Production ice cream in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's ice cream production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 39 295 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 6.1% gain compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 4.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 36 506 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 11.5% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia ranked 22nd globally in ice cream production.

Top producers of ice cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of ice cream, 2018-2021

After a two-year decline, Estonia's ice cream production volume increased. In 2021, the country produced 15 619 tonnes of ice cream, which is 4.0% more than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, however, production decreased by 13.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 15 022 tonnes, while the largest decline of 12.1% occurred in 2019.

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

Exports ice cream from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, ice cream exports from Estonia increased. In 2021, exports stood at 2 816 tonnes, representing a 6.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 32.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 642 tonnes, and the largest decline of 27.5% took place in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Finland, and Latvia were the leading destinations for Estonia's ice cream exports in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 41.8% of exports, Finland for 28.6%, and Latvia for 20.6%. Together, these three countries represented 91.0% 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

Estonia's ice cream export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 8 645 thousand US dollars, up by 14.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, export value decreased by 11.9%, with a CAGR of -4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 474 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland, Lithuania, and Latvia remained the top destinations for Estonia's ice cream exports in value terms. Finland accounted for 41.2% of exports, Lithuania for 23.0%, and Latvia for 20.6%. Combined, these three countries represented 84.8% 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 ice cream to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia's ice cream import volume amounted to 3 053 tonnes, showing a significant 26.0% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 25.2%, with a CAGR of 7.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 422 tonnes, which also experienced a decline of 2.5% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia were the largest contributors to Estonia's ice cream imports in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 36.3% of imports, Poland for 17.0%, and Latvia for 9.3%. Together, these three countries made up 62.6% 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 ice cream import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 10 930 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial gain of 33.6% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 31.1%, with a CAGR of 9.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 836 thousand US dollars, which also saw a decline of 6.0% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland headed the ranking of suppliers of ice cream to Estonia in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 28.6% of imports, Poland for 17.4%, and Finland for 11.2%. Their combined share reached 57.2% of total imports.

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

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