Sausages and similar meat products market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sausages and similar meat products in Estonia remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2024, fluctuating within a narrow band around 24 000 tonnes. It reached a peak of 25 117 tonnes in 2020 before moderating. In value terms, however, the market demonstrated clear growth, expanding from 89.6 million US dollars in 2018 to 101.7 million US dollars in 2024, indicating a general increase in the average value of products sold.

A shift in market dynamics became more pronounced around 2022, influenced by stricter EU food safety and quality regulations which increased compliance costs for producers. Concurrently, evolving consumer preferences, driven by greater health awareness, boosted demand for convenient, easily prepared options and higher-quality products like those with reduced salt content or organic credentials. These trends supported the emergence of new product segments and began to alter the market's structure.

The regulatory environment and changing demand patterns reinforced the position of local Estonian producers, including state-owned enterprises, within the market. This period saw a transition where, despite a slight contraction in physical volume, the market's total value recovered and grew post-2022, reflecting a consumer shift toward more premium and value-added meat preparations.

Production sausages and similar meat products in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's sausage and similar meat products production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output value reached 98 595 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.4% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Estonia's sausage and similar meat products production volume has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 27 543 tonnes, showing a moderate decrease of 3.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 784 tonnes, which saw a 4.0% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2020, with a 4.5% decrease.

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

Exports sausages and similar meat products from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia exported 7 355 tonnes of sausages and similar meat products, a 1.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 5.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 7 241 tonnes, marking a 16.1% decline. The highest was in 2019 at 8 634 tonnes, which saw a 10.8% increase.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia and Lithuania were the primary buyers of Estonian sausages and similar meat products, together accounting for 86.9% of total exports by volume. Other partners played a minor role in the export structure.

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 exports of sausages and similar meat products totaled 22 153 thousand US dollars, a solid 16.3% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 45%, with an average annual rate of 13.2%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 39.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 10.5% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the value of Estonia's sausage exports was heavily concentrated on Latvia and Finland, which together made up 83.1% of total export value. Other countries contributed only a small share.

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

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

Imports sausages and similar meat products to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of sausages and similar meat products have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 4 471 tonnes, a notable 14.4% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 54.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Poland, and Finland were the main suppliers of sausages and similar meat products to Estonia, together comprising 69.6% of total imports by volume. Latvia accounted for 33.4%, Poland for 19.8%, and Finland for 16.4%.

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 sausages and similar meat products have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 19 049 thousand US dollars, a modest 4.0% gain compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 39.4%, with an average annual increase of 11.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia, Spain, and Finland consistently remained the top sources for Estonia's sausage imports by value, together accounting for 66.4% of total import value. Latvia contributed 25.2%, Spain 22.5%, and Finland 18.7%.

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

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