Eastern Europe

The bottled water category continues to grow in 2023, with demand patterns normalising after the fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On-trade volumes have surpassed pre-pandemic levels as this channel is back to operating normally…

Despite a return to on-the-go consumption following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, off-trade volume sales of bottled water declined in 2023. Economic uncertainty is heavily impacting sales, while the outbreak of COVID-19 negatively impacted…

Functional bottled water registered by far the highest retail volume growth in 2023. A still small sales base and increasing demand drove the performance of functional bottled water at the end of the review period, while leaving room for further…

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, health awareness among consumers has heightened in Slovenia. This has driven growth in the tea landscape in Slovenia, with green tea, and herbal teas, being fast-developing area. Continuing this trend, in 2023,…

The escalation in prices coupled with a decline in disposable income has adversely affected the sales of tea in 2023 within Serbia. Additionally, as consumers gravitate towards a return to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, spending more time outside…

Sports drinks in Serbia witnessed a notable increase in volume sales attributed primarily to the expanding consumer base. The awareness surrounding sports drinks continues to grow, with a broader spectrum of Serbians, not just athletes, becoming more…

Soft drinks in Serbia faced significant challenges in 2023 due to a decline in disposable income. The economic downturn prompted Serbians to reassess their purchasing habits, focusing primarily on essential products. With price sensitivity on the…

Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea faces challenges due to soaring prices and a decline in disposable income among Serbians in 2023. As consumers prioritise spending on essentials, the demand for RTD tea diminishes. Consequently, producers of RTD tea curtail…

High inflation and a decline in disposable income hinder the further growth of RTD coffee in 2023. Despite this, RTD coffee maintains volume sales due to its growth potential in an unsaturated category. Key players like Nescafé face intensified…

Other hot drinks witnessed steady volume growth in 2023, which mainly consists of chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks for children. However, in recent years, category players have been making efforts within chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks…

The return of consumers to pre-pandemic lifestyles has triggered intensified competition with on-trade establishments. With consumers spending more time outside their homes and seeking on-the-go options, on-trade sales are experiencing slower growth…

Juice, deemed non-essential, witnessed a decline in consumption in 2023, influenced by soaring prices and a decrease in disposable income within Serbia. Economically conscious consumers reduced juice consumption or migrated towards more affordable…

Hot drinks in Slovenia enjoyed steady volume growth in 2023, despite the upward pressure on prices as inflation remained above normal levels. Coffee is the not only the largest category in hot drinks, but it is experiencing a surge in popularity in…

In 2023, the consumption of hot drinks in Serbia faced a slowdown due to rising prices and a decline in disposable income. Consumers responded by reducing consumption volumes, shifting towards more affordable brands, opting for private label…

Energy drinks in Serbia have experienced notable volume sales growth, primarily driven by the return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. The busier pace of life further encourages the consumption of energy drinks. Leading players in this market retain their…

Powder concentrates persist as a traditional product familiar to many Serbians. The area boasts several robust local players in both liquid and powder concentrates, fuelling further development. The escalating prices and decline in disposable income…

Whilst fresh ground coffee is the dominant choice in Slovenia, instant coffee is gaining popularity from a lower volume base. In 2023, instant coffee mixes are the fastest growing product in the category driven by the convenience trend. Instant…

The substantial rise in coffee prices has decelerated the growth of coffee volume sales in Serbia. Notably, only coffee pods have experienced an upward trend, primarily due to an expanding consumer base and relatively lower market maturity. The…

As prices rise and disposable incomes decline, Serbians are reassessing their daily purchases, notably reducing consumption of non-essential items like carbonated beverages. Health-conscious consumers are shifting towards healthier alternatives and…

Bottled water in Serbia experienced a volume sales recovery in 2023, driven by the return to pre-pandemic lifestyles, with consumers embracing on-the-go water consumption. Functional bottled water witnessed the fastest volume sales growth, attributed…