Sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers in Estonia grew steadily from 6 264 t in 2018 to a peak of 6 970 t in 2021, reflecting a period of consistent consumer demand. This upward trend was followed by a contraction, with volume declining to 6 447 t in 2022 and further to 6 127 t in 2023, before rebounding to 6 725 t in 2024.

Shifting consumer preferences, notably a growing interest in sour and citrus flavor profiles as part of a broader health and novelty trend, began influencing product development in the local segment from 2022. Concurrently, major retailer Lidl implemented sustained price reductions of up to 30% on its private-label long-life items, including sweet biscuits and wafers, aiming to maintain affordability. These factors reshaped the competitive landscape and purchasing behavior during the market's volatile phase.

In value terms, the market exhibited a different trajectory, with a notable increase from 20 943 thousand USD in 2022 to 27 182 thousand USD in 2024. This divergence between physical volume and monetary value suggests changes in product mix or average pricing within the category over the latter part of the period.

Production sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's production of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers declined in 2021 after two years of growth. The output was valued at 4 165 K $ US, marking a modest decrease of 7.1% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 486 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.9%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Estonia produced 1 160 tonnes of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers, representing a 7.5% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 079 tonnes, and the highest in 2019 at 1 231 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 12.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.6%.

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

Exports sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia exported 543 tonnes of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers in 2021, up by 31.2% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 18.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 414 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland, Latvia, and Russia were the top contributors to Estonia's exports in kind. Finland accounted for 38.6% of exports, Latvia for 20.4%, and Russia for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.3% 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 exported sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers worth 2 372 K $ US in 2021, showing a dramatic gain of 55.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 41.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 524 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden remained the principal buyers of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers from Estonia in value terms. Finland accounted for 43.5% of exports, Latvia for 21.5%, and Sweden for 13.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 78.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sweet biscuits, waffles and wafers to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 6 354 tonnes, up by 1.4% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 12.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Poland, and Ukraine were the leading suppliers of sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers to Estonia in kind. Latvia accounted for 31.6% of imports, Poland for 14.4%, and Ukraine for 12.6%. Their combined share reached 58.5% of total imports.

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 sweet biscuits, waffles, and wafers increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, totalling 19 199 K $ US, up by 12.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 8.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 981 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the country breakdown of imports in value terms was scattered, with no single partner clearly dominant. Latvia accounted for 20.6% of imports, Poland for 18.0%, and Finland for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.7% 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