Eastern Europe

Sports nutrition is an extremely popular category in 2023, especially sports protein powder and non-protein products. These products are equally used by professional body builders and those who exercise regularly and want to build muscle. As a…

In 2023, sports nutrition continues to recover from the general decline in retail volume and value sales in 2020. This downturn was caused by the exigencies of Coronavirus (COVID-19), which saw gyms close amid lockdown and home seclusion measures.…

Although vitamins are still witnessing solid current growth in 2023, demand is now subsiding after several years of dynamic performance during the pandemic years. Retail volume and current value sales are now substantially higher than pre-pandemic…

2023 was a positive year for sales of vitamins in Lithuania. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, new habits have formed in the country, with consumers keen to take care of their immune systems, with a solid and growing focus on preventative health…

Vitamins is experiencing strong double-digit value growth in 2023 due to rising unit prices and rampant inflation in the country. Volume sales, meanwhile, have normalised following a strong boost during the pandemic as consumers bought vitamins in…

Vitamins witnessed two years of fast growth in both retail volume and current value terms in 2020 and 2021 as consumers looked for immunity and general health properties to offer resistance to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, as the…

There has been a strong increase in current value sale of weight management and wellbeing in 2023, although inflation has been a contributory factor pushing up prices. Consumers have resumed their active social lives and body image is a much higher…

Weight management is not traditionally a first choice for consumers in Lithuania regarding weight management or losing weight. Competition from sports nutrition, healthier diets and exercise plans, are all challenges to sales, hampering results.…

Weight management and wellbeing tops the list of fastest growing categories as the health and wellness trend continues to influence consumers in North Macedonia in 2023. Also, a growing number of people are struggling with obesity, high blood…

Over 2023, meal replacement is projected to see further, if slight, retail volume growth and fast retail current value, fuelled by high inflation. The category is driven by innovation and strong marketing activities in support of the leading meal…

Wound care is expected to see stagnant current value growth in 2023 after a period of fluctuation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers have fully returned to outdoor activities and consequently, various minor injuries are fuelling sales of…

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, sales of wound care in Lithuania heightened as consumers were back to previous active lifestyles. This is especially true for children, boosting sales of basic products for small injuries and cuts. Compeed branded…

Demand for wound care products remains stable and, with rising unit prices in line with inflation, it is seeing strong retail value growth in 2023. Both major categories - sticking plasters/adhesive bandages and gauze, tape and other wound care - are…

Wound care in Slovakia is consolidated around few key players. Hartmann-Rico, the historical leader with a wide range of brands, is expected to remain clear of the field in retail value share terms in 2023, followed by 3M (East), Interpharm Slovakia…

Baby food suffered heavy losses in 2022 as large numbers of families fled the country following Russia’s invasion. The category’s recovery in 2023 continues to be limited by the significantly smaller consumer base for these products. Besides which,…

In June 2022 Ukrainian dairy manufacturers were granted duty-free exports to the EU for one year. This was extended for one more year in 2023 as part of ongoing efforts to support Ukraine’s economy while it continues to cope with the impact of…

The war has taken its toll on the local economy with disposable income in most households being squeezed. As a result, some price-sensitive consumers are downtrading when it comes to shopping for cheese. For instance, some consumers are shifting to…

Sale of dairy products and alternatives in Ukraine are being significantly impacted by the war and inflation in 2023. Besides the loss of consumers and territories, the market also faces other obstacles including consumers downtrading to cheaper…

When it comes to drinking milk products sales are dominated by cow’s milk. Cow’s milk has maintained relatively stable per capita consumption in Ukraine with it being a core basket product. The sharp drop in volume sales seen in 2022 was the result…

Although other dairy saw heavy losses in retail volume terms in 2022 due to the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the category did not see such a sharp decline as some other areas of dairy. A major factor behind this was the more stable…

Local brand Bob Snail is already known in Ukraine, especially by parents, due to its range of healthy sweets\snacks that are made from fruit-based ingredients. However, the brand has now branched out into offering plant-based yoghurt made from…

Sales of yoghurt were particularly hard hit by the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with volume sales plummeting. For many people, yoghurt is not included in their core basket of goods and therefore in response to the challenges presented by…

The analgesics market in Bulgaria has reached a mature stage, characterised by steady growth and well-established product offerings. This maturity is evident in the consistent demand for pain relief solutions driven by factors such as an ageing…

As consumption patterns continue to stabilise following three years of pandemic-induced disruption, the majority of analgesics categories in Hungary are projected to contract in volume terms in 2023. Rates of decline in most look set to be modest,…

In 2023, analgesics is set to see strong growth supported by rising prices in the context of generally high rates of inflation. After strong growth in 2020 due to stockpiling and decline in 2021, the category returned to growth in 2022 and has…

In 2023, the consumer health market in Bulgaria is set to see steady current value growth, with sales set to continue to fall at constant 2023 prices, though at a slower rate than in the previous year in both cases. Consumer preferences are shifting…

While consumer health in Hungary is set to post robust growth in total current value sales in 2023, this is primarily due to inflationary pressures fuelled by the global recovery from the pandemic, the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the…

The second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023 saw declining demand for many areas of OTC healthcare. This was linked to high inflation and the related decline in disposable incomes. Consumers have turned away from buying non-essential products…

Price sensitivity among Bulgarian consumers is a key factor influencing their purchasing decisions when it comes to cough, cold, and allergy (hay fever) remedies. As the minimum wage in Bulgaria is just under EUR400 in 2023, a significant portion of…

Most cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies categories in Hungary are set to expand in volume terms in 2023 or record slower rates of decline than in 2022. Similar to the case with analgesics, the need for these products has been bolstered by…

Although the threat from COVID-19 is largely perceived to have past, many consumers continue to worry about how people will react if they sneeze or cough in public. Volume growth of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies is helping to drive the…

The sedentary lifestyles that are prevalent in Bulgaria significantly impact the market for dermatological products. A lack of physical activity often goes hand in hand with prolonged periods of sitting indoors, which can lead to reduced exposure to…

All dermatologicals categories in Hungary are expected to post negative results in volume terms in 2023, in most cases for the second year in a row. Although a number of different factors have depressed demand in individual categories, the overall…

The decline in consumers’ disposable income due to rising prices is dampening demand for consumer health products that are not seen as essential, such as many dermatologicals products. In the current economic climate in particular, Serbian consumers…

Probiotics, known for their positive impact on digestive health and overall wellbeing, have gained significant traction among health conscious consumers. The growing awareness of probiotics as a preventive measure against common digestive issues,…

Growth in dietary supplements current value sales in 2023 is expected to be slower than in 2022, while the vast majority of categories are set to contract in volume terms for a second consecutive year. With Hungary experiencing the highest inflation…

Dietary supplements is set to experience decline in 2023 for two primary reasons. Firstly, the pandemic is over, and many Serbians are less concerned with protecting themselves against COVID-19. Secondly, because of the high rate of inflation and…

Marketers are increasingly focusing on educating consumers about digestive health, utilising both traditional and digital platforms. Given the sensitive nature of digestive health issues, campaigns are designed to be empathetic and non-intrusive.…

While digestive remedies is poised to post robust growth in total current value sales in 2023, this is mainly due to substantial price hikes amidst persistently high inflation in Hungary. All categories are set to contract in volume terms, in part…

According to research, 36% of Serbian citizens admit that they do not care enough about their diets, and this causes digestive problems, with 43% complaining of indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive problems. Indigestion and heartburn are the…

The maturity of the market in Bulgaria implies that most potential customers are already using or have easy access to eye care products, reaching a saturation point in terms of penetration. This situation can lead to intensified competition among…

With high inflation continuing to drive up unit prices and weaken purchasing power among Hungarians, eye care is set to see total volume sales contract for a second consecutive year in 2023. However, the rate of decline should be slower than that…

In Bulgaria, younger consumers are increasingly turning to herbal/traditional products as a natural and holistic alternative to conventional medications. These consumers are at the forefront of the shift towards a more preventive and holistic…

Although overall current value growth for herbal/traditional products in 2023 is set to equal that recorded in 2022, this is mainly due to price hikes amidst soaring inflation in Hungary. With the resultant drop in purchasing power making people much…

In 2023, Serbians remain positively disposed towards herbal/traditional products. When it comes to natural medicines and herbal preparations, only 26% of Europeans overall use them in defence against viral infections, but Serbians are significantly…

The pervasive smoking habits in Bulgaria exert a considerable negative effect on the sales of NRT smoking cessation aids. Bulgaria has one of the highest smoking rates in the European Union, with a significant portion of the population addicted to…

In keeping with the trend witnessed throughout the review period, total volume sales of NRT smoking cessation aids have continued to contract in 2023, with all categories set to post negative results in this respect. This is partly explained by the…

Parental preference for child-specific consumer health products is a progressively growing trend in Bulgaria, reflecting a strong desire for products tailored to the unique needs and sensitivities of children, in contrast to the more traditional…

Most paediatric consumer health categories are expected to contract in volume terms in 2023. This is partly due to persistently high inflation in Hungary, with steep price hikes and falling purchasing power making people more inclined to only…

The increase in current value sales expected in paediatric consumer health in 2023 is mainly being driven by rising prices. Meanwhile, volume sales are being negatively impacted by consumers becoming more selective about what they buy. Waning…