Eastern Europe

In 2023, RTD coffee leads as the fastest growing category in soft drinks, in volume terms. Despite the unfavourable economic conditions, RTD coffee continues to attract new consumers. The product category is widely available in the modern trade, with…

Despite its low base and strong initial development, RTD coffee experienced a slowdown in growth, even a slight decline in 2023, due to price hikes implemented in 2022 and 2023. Financial instability prompted consumers to reduce expenses on…

Post-COVID-19, as travel and work activities resumed, there was a rebound in off-trade impulse consumption and demand for RTD coffee, leading to strong retail volume growth in 2022, albeit from a relatively low base. Such positive growth continues in…

Instant noodles is the fastest growing category in 2023 due to its convenience and the rising popularity of international cuisine. With increasingly busy lifestyles, consumers are looking for products that are quick and easy to prepare. They are also…

Chilled processed meat remains the largest category in both volume and value terms in 2023. Convenience continues to drive category sales as consumers with hectic lifestyles are increasingly looking for ready-to-eat options. However, meat and seafood…

Processed fruit and vegetables are recording further growth in 2023. The main factor underpinning this positive performance is the rising demand for products that offer convenience as many consumers have less time to go shopping for fresh food on…

Other hot drinks continues to face the threat of high inflation in 2023, with pressure on costs resulting in further price rises. Consumers are seeking more budget-friendly options in this category, with a shift away from premium and gourmet hot…

In Bulgaria's other hot drinks category, chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks maintains the largest volume share despite facing several challenges. These challenges include declining birth rates and a growing consumer preference for low-sugar…

Value sales are still relatively low in what is an immature product area, which still has plenty of room for growth. As such, though prices are still on the rise, it is expected to register moderate volume growth in 2023. Chocolate-based flavoured…

In August 2023, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) published its production forecast estimating that the apple harvest in Europe in 2023 will be 3% lower than the previous year. Meanwhile, Poland, which is considered Europe's largest apple…

Juice in Hungary faced significant challenges in 2023 due to high inflation rates and rising prices. Across all juice categories, except for coconut and other plant waters, sales volume experienced a substantial decline. This decline can be…

100% juice is posting stable growth in Bulgaria in 2023, maintaining popularity due to its perceived freshness, nutritional value and alignment with health and wellness trends. Despite this, its growth potential is somewhat hampered by ongoing…

The year 2023 has been characterized by another year of high inflation, with consumers struggling with costs. Despite this, coffee is gaining popularity not only in cafés, but also at home and in the workplace, with a growing interest in speciality…

The hot drinks market in Bulgaria in 2023 is significantly influenced by the cost-of-living crisis. With an inflation rate among the highest in the EU, Bulgarian consumers are experiencing squeezed disposable incomes and escalating grocery product…

Overall, retail volume sales for hot drinks are expected to fall marginally, due to a slight fall in volume sales for coffee, which is by far the most popular hot drink in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Continuing population decline dampens volume sales, as…

For a significant period, energy drinks seemed to be resistant to all negative factors influencing the soft drinks category. It registered solid volume growth in 2021, when many categories declined due to the rising prices caused by the newly…

The previously robust growth of energy drinks in Hungary experienced a slowdown in 2023. This slowdown is primarily attributed to the significant increase in prices for food and beverages, which prompted consumers to reduce their purchases of…

Energy drinks benefits from constant innovation and improved distribution. Producers are challenging traditional perceptions of energy drinks by introducing sugar-free variants and incorporating healthier ingredients like fruit juice, green tea or…

In 2023, powder concentrates registered a significant price growth of 30%. Players had done all they could to prevent prices rising in 2021 and 2022. In addition, concentrates escaped the impact of the sugar tax, due to a loophole, and this meant…

Liquid concentrates demonstrated remarkable resilience amidst the inflationary pressures that affected other soft drinks. This can be attributed to their perceived affordability during the economically challenging period, leading consumers to shift…