Yoghurt market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian yoghurt market operated under the EU's protected designations for dairy terms, which since 2018 required clear labeling to distinguish dairy from plant-based products, ensuring consumer trust. This regulatory backdrop accompanied a period of growth, with market volume expanding from 13,270 tons in 2018 to 16,012 tons in 2021. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, when volume jumped to 15,913 tons.

Market volume then surged to 20,860 tons in 2022, representing a sharp increase, before contracting to 18,680 tons in 2023.

By 2024, market developments included a draft law for a tiered tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, set to take effect in 2025, which directly targets sweetened yoghurts. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted toward healthier options like lactose-free, vitamin-D fortified, and probiotic yoghurts. The economic sustainability of dairy producers also improved, supported by larger farm operations and better productivity.

Production yoghurt in Estonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia ranked 28th globally in yogurt production.

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Estonia's yogurt production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 21 080 tons of yogurt, marking an u8.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 19 360 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Estonia's yogurt output was valued at 29 164 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 26 168 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports yoghurt from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's yogurt exports in 2020 amounted to 7 460 tons, showing a moderate decline of 4.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.4%, averaging an annual decline of 3.6%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 7.5% decrease, while the highest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Finland accounted for 78.9% of Estonia's total yogurt exports by volume, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's yogurt exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 10 321 thousand US dollars, down 2.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 6.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.2%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 11 057 thousand US dollars, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% drop. The highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia's yogurt export value was heavily concentrated on Finland, which represented 74.9% of total exports, with other partners making up the balance.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2017-2020

Imports yoghurt to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Yogurt import volumes showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Estonia imported 2 293 tons of yogurt, a slight decrease of 6.2% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 444 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 84.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, Poland (37.5% of import volume), Latvia (31.3%), and Austria (14.7%) formed the main cluster for Estonia's yogurt imports by volume, together accounting for 83.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia's yogurt import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 4 249 thousand US dollars, up 2.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 128.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland (41.2% of import value), Latvia (23.7%), and Austria (13.8%) remained the key sources for Estonia's yogurt imports by value, collectively representing 78.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2017-2020