Baby Food Market in the EU - Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report, the EU - Food Preparations For Infants - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the baby food market in the European Union amounted to $1.3B in 2018, increasing by 23% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The baby food consumption continues to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018, with an increase of 23% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the baby food market attained its peak figure level at $2.5B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production in the EU

In 2018, baby food production in the European Union stood at 747K tonnes, surging by 3.5% against the previous year. The baby food production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Exports in the EU

In 2018, baby food exports in the European Union stood at 855K tonnes, dropping by -3.9% against the previous year. The total exports indicated a remarkable growth from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, baby food exports stood at $6.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The baby food exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. Over the period under review, baby food exports attained their peak figure in 2018, and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2018, the Netherlands (232K tonnes), distantly followed by Ireland (153K tonnes), France (145K tonnes), Germany (90K tonnes), Poland (60K tonnes) and Spain (55K tonnes) were the largest exporters of food preparations for infants, together achieving 86% of total exports. Denmark (38K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland (+15.2% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($2.6B) remains the largest baby food supplier in the European Union, comprising 37% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Ireland ($1.2B), with a 18% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 15% share.

Export Prices by Country

The baby food export price in the European Union stood at $8 per kg in 2018, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.2%.

There were significant differences in the average export prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest export price was the Netherlands ($11 per kg), while Spain ($4.4 per kg) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.2% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the EU

In 2018, the amount of food preparations for infants imported in the European Union amounted to 378K tonnes, shrinking by -8.1% against the previous year. The total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the baby food imports decreased by -15.5% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, when it surged by 21% y-o-y. The volume of imports peaked at 447K tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, baby food imports amounted to $1.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total imports indicated a remarkable growth from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the baby food imports decreased by -8.9% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, baby food imports reached their peak figure at $2.1B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (69K tonnes), the UK (51K tonnes), the Netherlands (37K tonnes), Italy (34K tonnes), France (27K tonnes), Belgium (25K tonnes), Ireland (22K tonnes), Poland (15K tonnes), Greece (14K tonnes), Spain (13K tonnes), Sweden (12K tonnes) and the Czech Republic (9.4K tonnes) represented roughly 87% of total imports of food preparations for infants in 2018.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Ireland (+25.4% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest baby food markets worldwide were Germany ($408M), the UK ($263M) and the Netherlands ($210M), with a combined 47% share of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Import Prices by Country

The baby food import price in the European Union stood at $5 per kg in 2018, growing by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was France ($7.1 per kg), while Italy ($2 per kg) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by France (+7.1% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform