Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Estonia experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. Volume grew from 527 t in 2018 to 757 t in 2021, peaking at 675 t in 2019. Initial expansion was supported by new entrants increasing competition and capacity expansions by larger producers. Strong growth in 2019 was driven by product innovation, as new offerings combined traditional methods with modern seasonings, alongside a sustained consumer shift toward healthier and more natural foods. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and altered purchasing behavior, contributing to a market contraction to 614 t. A robust recovery followed in 2021, fueled by the emergence of new product segments that blended traditional flavors with health-conscious ingredients and by major producers expanding their distribution networks to reach broader audiences.

After the recovery, market volume corrected to 666 t in 2022. This period coincided with the implementation of stricter food labeling and packaging requirements, which affected market access conditions, and saw increased participation from state-owned companies aiming to support local production and innovation. In the following years, without specific reported drivers, the market resumed its growth trajectory, reaching 747 t in 2023 and climbing further to 816 t in 2024.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, output reached 3 063 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 24.7% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 457 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Estonia produced 634.1 tonnes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts, representing a 38.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 457.6 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.3%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 4.2 tonnes, reflecting a solid 16.5% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 151.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Finland, and Norway were the leading destinations for Estonia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in volume terms. Latvia accounted for 39.8% of exports, Finland for 36.2%, and Norway for 21.6%, together making up 97.6% 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

Estonia's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 31.1 thousand US dollars, showing a 22.3% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 218.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia and Finland were the primary buyers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Estonia in value terms, together accounting for 80.2% of total exports. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Estonia showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 12-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 127.5 tonnes, indicating a strong 20.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 160.1 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1 070.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland dominated Estonia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in volume terms, accounting for 77.0% of total imports. The remaining imports were spread across multiple smaller 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's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. Imports hit a low in 2018 and a high in 2020, varying by an 8.7-fold multiple. In 2021, imports totaled 542.9 thousand US dollars, which is 38.4% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 881.1 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 527.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources for Estonia's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in value terms. Poland accounted for 59.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 18.0%, and Germany for 12.1%, together comprising 89.8% 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