Eastern Europe

Candidacy for European Union (EU) membership could improve Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) economic freedom, although corruption is pervasive. The country has a relatively diversified economic base and whilst inflation is moderating, the economy is…

With its very low tax burden and strong state finances, Bulgaria enjoys economic freedom, although political instability has been common. High inflation is adversely affecting the economy, but joblessness remains low. Although skills shortages are…

A low corporate tax rate and better finances are leading to enhanced economic freedom in Croatia, although corruption continues to be an issue and politics is moving to the right. Adoption of the euro could boost investment and tourism, but the…

Although Estonia enjoys substantial economic freedom and tackles corruption effectively, state finances are deteriorating but remain sustainable. The economy is experiencing recession and stagflation, whilst its highly open nature creates risks for…

Whilst Georgia’s government finances have improved and a low tax burden benefits businesses, governance is becoming more authoritarian and moving away from democratic ideals. Economic development was extremely robust in 2022, thanks to tourism,…

A low tax burden adds to Hungary’s economic freedom, but corruption remains an issue and state finances are under pressure. Economic performance has outpaced peers and unemployment is low, but inflation remains very high and will adversely impact…

Kosovo has suffered from significant political instability, whilst corruption is pervasive. Nevertheless, European Union (EU) accession is on the cards and the economy is expected to outperform peers in the near term. The consumer market remains…

Improving state finances and effective control of corruption are adding to Latvia’s economic freedom, but relations with neighbours continue to be tense. Economic momentum is moderating, owing to high inflation that is hitting consumption, but the…

Although Lithuania enjoys economic freedom and solid state finances, relations with neighbours have worsened and add to uncertainty. The economy has been hindered by the highest inflation rate in the eurozone and output growth could enter negative…

Although Moldova is ‘moderately free’ for economic freedom, Russia’s influence operations may spur instability. Economic growth to rebound over the near term, outperforming regional average. The population is shrinking and ageing rapidly, which…

In Mozambique, ongoing conflict and corruption exacerbate economic challenges. The economy is hindered by high unemployment and reliance on agriculture. The young and growing population remains impoverished, facing healthcare and educational hurdles,…

Although economic freedom has worsened and political instability persists, state finances have improved and taxation is low. North Macedonia’s economy has struggled under the weight of elevated inflation, but this is falling and foreign investment…

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…

Increasing authoritarianism and corruption are resulting in mass protests, although fiscal discipline is leading to better state finances. Economic momentum is slowing, owing to high inflation and reduced external demand, but foreign investment…

Despite the business landscape enjoying relative economic freedom, political instability has been a common feature of Slovakia. Although joblessness is relatively low, wages are increasing, also adding to very high inflation, whilst the war in…

Although Slovenia has been beset by political instability and corruption remains an issue, its economic freedom is one of the best in Eastern Europe. However, the economy is slowing, as inflation is elevated, whilst its highly open nature exposes its…

Although corruption is a problem, the Czech Republic has strong adherence to economic freedom and solid government finances. Economic growth is set to slow amidst persistent inflation, but the foreign investment landscape is vibrant. Whilst…

Sales of pet care in Bulgaria continued to grow based on the potential of prepared food due to its current low share. Dog and cat food remained the main growth driver of the pet care market as dogs and cats continued to be the main pet population in…

Pet care in Hungary recorded strong double-digit retail current value growth in 2022 and 2023, with a high single-digit increase projected over 2024. Such growth is rooted in high inflation, as retail volume sales are expected to continue to drop at…

It is expected to be a positive picture for pet care in Poland in 2024, with both healthy double-digit current and constant value growth. An improving economic picture is also expected to support this growth, as inflation eases significantly and real…

Pet Care in Romania is expected to see a return to positive volume growth in 2024, following the decline of the previous year. This will be due in a large part to waning inflationary pressures, which will have a positive impact on real household…

The performance of pet care in Slovakia is being hampered by unit price growth and marginal fluctuations in pet populations during 2024, with retail volume sales rising only slightly. In current value terms, pet care posted healthy growth thanks to…

In pet care in the Czech Republic, 2024 is expected to be a cooling year. There was a surge in pet care demand in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, although the effects of the war in Ukraine and high inflation increased the…

Pet care is set to see continued growth in Ukraine in 2024. Having seen volumes fall following the Russian invasion of the country in 2022, the market returned to growth in the following year. The positive sales performance in wartime is related to…

The Bulgarian pet products category is expected to grow in 2024 in value terms. Growth will mainly be based on the growing interest and knowledge in caring about pet health, hygiene, wellness and entertainment. Pet humanisation is also ongoing while…

Pet products in Hungary is experiencing a surge in demand for pet clothing and beds, fuelled by the growing cat and dog populations, which are larger than the 0-14-year-old human population in the country. Households are increasingly treating their…

Pet products in Poland is expected to register value growth, though not as high as for pet food. However, one segment that is expected to register significant growth is pet clothing. This growth reflects a global movement towards pet humanisation,…

Pet products in Romania are set to see double-digit growth in current value terms in 2024, continuing the trend of the previous year. Despite the high cost of living, consumers will remain willing to lavish their pets with care and attention, in…

In 2024, cat litter sales remain stable supporting the positive development of pet products in Slovakia. Consumers typically buy cat litter on price discounts and will compare prices using online tools from Heureka.sk and other retailers to identify…

Within pet products in the Czech Republic, the demand for the cat litter has grown steadily. As this product type is tied to cat ownership, the rising cat population in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is helping the category to develop…

Pet products is expected to see current value growth in Ukraine in 2024. Manufacturers of cat litter are experimenting with different raw materials to provide high functionality and manage the increased costs they are facing. Besides the popular…

Consumer demand for plant-based dairy picked up in 2023, resulting in strong double-digit current value growth and a better performance in retail volume sales compared to the previous year. There is a growing appetite for dairy alternatives and…

In 2023, plant-based dairy continues to enjoy healthy growth in Bulgaria, both in retail volume and current value terms. Plant-based products were less affected by the previous year’s inflation than the dairy category, as they are generally consumed…

Plant-based milk is gaining popularity in Croatia, as evidenced by the growing percentage of the population now purchasing them. Plant-based milk products are most commonly purchased by higher-income groups living in urban areas. Even though the…

While sales are still relatively low, there is an appetite for plant-based dairy and it is expected to register very healthy current value and volume growth in 2023. Value sales are largely driven by younger consumers, who consider plant-based…

As in many countries, Hungary is seeing a notable rise in interest in plant-based diets, with many consumers looking to cut down their consumption of meat and dairy products, even if they are not fully committing to vegetarian or vegan diets.…

Plant-based dairy has grown rapidly from a low base in Latvia; however, growth is slowing due to the high prices of plant-based products as the purchasing power of the population is declining due to economic uncertainty in the country. Consuming…

Plant-based dairy recorded a positive sales performance towards the end of the review period, although growth rates during 2022 and 2023 were considerably slower than what was registered earlier in the review period. While demand for plant-based…

In recent years, there has been a marked shift in the range of products available on store shelves in Poland, with plant-based milks now available in almost every shop, offering a wide selection. Similarly, once hard to find, plant-based yoghurts and…

Plant-based dairy is the winner in 2023, enjoying healthy volume growth and strong value sales alike. This positive dynamic is supported by the fact that plant-based dairy in Romania is growing from a relatively small base. While plant-based dairy…

Plant-based milk is expected to register healthy current value and volume growth in 2022. As yet, plant-based cheese and yoghurt do not register any discernible value sales, The growth is supported by increased allergies, such as lactose intolerance,…

Plant-based dairy products continued to gain popularity in Slovakia in 2023, although the rate of growth in retail volume terms was much slower than that seen during the first half of the review period. Demand is being driven by a growing number of…

Plant-based dairy is growing in both volume and value sales. An increased number of vegans in the population and growing numbers of people who suffer from allergies or food intolerance are forcing consumers towards dairy-free diets. This in turn is…

With the increased popularity of plant-based products, many people are making these products at home. This trend was mostly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people spent more time in the household; however, the worsening economic situation…

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…

In recent years, there has been a marked shift in the range of products available on store shelves in Poland, with plant-based milks now available in almost every shop, offering a wide selection. Similarly, once hard to find, plant-based yoghurts and…

Plant-based dairy continued on its dynamic growth trajectory towards the end of the review period, albeit from a low base. While plant-based dairy has been available in Romania for some years, the pandemic and associated health trends accelerated…

The Plovdiv in Bulgaria report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

Warsaw and Lódz, Poland's thriving urban hubs, benefit from strong productivity, elevated consumer spending, and extensive service industries. Moreover, Lódz displays the highest potential for future economic expansion. However, challenges for the…