Estonians plump for chocolate bonbons, ACNielsen Baltic survey

Kalev Chocolate Factory led the Baltic chocolate and sugar confectionery market in the beginning of 2009, according to survey carried out by the market research company ACNielsen, writes the Baltic paper LETA.

The survey on the consumption of chocolate and sugar confectionery products in Estonia, Latvia and in Lithuania reported that Kalev had 15.1 per cent of the entire market segment. "The results of the survey demonstrate that having a very strong position on one market, it is possible to become a market leader in all Baltic States," said Kati Kusmin, CEO of AS Kalev Chocolate Factory.

According to the news report, Kusmin added that in the beginning of the year, Kalev had 40 per cent of the total volume of chocolate and sugar confectionery products manufactured in Estonia.

While Estonians mostly prefer different chocolate bonbons, chocolate bars and assorted chocolates, in Latvia and Lithuania the segment of uncoated candies is very popular and consumers do not prefer chocolate as much.