Eastern Europe

While unit prices of most other consumer goods saw double-digit percentage growth rates, in line with inflation, the unit prices of alcoholic drinks saw more moderate growth since many of the major brands are of domestic origin and were able to limit…

As COVID-19 fears subsided in 2022 there was a strong desire among many Serbian consumers to start socialising again with this helping to stimulate on-trade volume growth with sales fully recovering after the significant decline seen during 2020.…

Alcoholic drinks has recovered to pre-pandemic sales levels in volume and value terms, with consumption rising following the abolishment of social and travel restrictions. Horeca establishments were open without any limitations in 2022 enabling…

Beer continued to see moderate total volume growth in 2022 and high inflation impacted average unit prices. The category is still performing below pre-pandemic levels mainly due to limited on-trade performance, which continues to recover slowly post…

Serbians returned to the on-trade in greater numbers in 2022 as COVID-19 fears subsided and restrictions were lifted with this continuing to drive volume sales of beer. Lager remains by far the most popular beer in Serbia, although smaller beer…

The inflation rate increased sharply in 2022 leading to double-digit growth in beer unit prices. Nevertheless, soaring beer prices have not heavily affected demand for beer, with volume growth rates elevated compared to 2021 levels. The recovery in…

Due to ongoing consumer demand, cider/perry sales continued to show growth in 2022, albeit at a rate in the single-digit percentage range. This contrasts with earlier in the review period when growth was in the double and even triple-digit…

Cider/perry in Serbia continued to see strong and stable volume growth in total volume terms in 2022, although growth continued to come from a small consumer base. The on-trade channel witnessed stronger volume and value growth although this was…

The cider category has seen robust growth in volume and current value terms in 2022, with the strongest performance seen in the on-trade. Horeca establishments opened throughout the year without restrictions from COVID-19. A strong tourist season…

Growing consumer demand for convenient RTDs contributed to the category’s ongoing post-pandemic recovery in 2022, with sales significantly surpassing 2019 pre-COVID levels. Younger consumers in particular increasingly opt for drinks with lower…

As seen across alcoholic drinks in Serbia, the growth of RTDs was driven by a further recovery in on-trade volume sales in 2022. With COVID-19 fears subsiding and restrictions lifted consumers spent more time outside the home socialising and going to…

Spirit-based RTDs is the fastest growing subcategory, registering double-digit sales increases in volume and value terms. New product development is noticeable in spirit-based RTDs, with companies like Dana doo expanding outside its core business of…

Total volume growth in spirits remains positive in 2022 as the category continued to recover from the pandemic. Moreover, the double-digit inflation that led to increased prices across many other consumer goods categories was less visible within…

Spirits registered strong growth in total volume terms in 2022 with this being driven by the continued recovery of the on-trade channel after the negative impact of the pandemic. On-trade sales of spirits continued to recover in 2022 as Serbians…

The spirits category recovered from the pandemic in 2022, with current value and volume sales surpassing 2019 levels. Inflation and higher unit prices were also drivers of current value sales in 2022. Despite making a strong recovery, sales of…

Total volume growth was robust in 2022 thanks to the enduring popularity of wine among local consumers in North Macedonia, which is well known for its wine drinking and production. The impact of inflation on consumption and prices was moderate. Unit…

Wine saw healthy growth in total volume terms in 2022 with sales boosted by a further recovery in sales through the on-trade. With COVID-19 fears subsiding and restrictions lifted consumers started to return to their old pre-pandemic lifestyles which…

On-trade wine sales enjoyed a strong recovery in 2022, pushing overall wine volumes sales well above pre-pandemic levels. A significant recovery was seen in the Horeca channel as all COVID-19 restrictions were removed for the full year. There is a…

An unbiased judiciary weakens the rule of law and corruption is more prevalent, but the business environment continues to thrive. Although the economy is expected to slow markedly in the short term owing to high inflation, medium-term prospects are…

Corruption continues to hamper economic freedom and fiscal health could be improved, but Romania has entered a period of political stability. Economic development is set to slow, as high inflation erodes purchasing power and has led to greater…