We were delighted to see a full house at our recent member visit to Orkla Eesti, one of Estonia’s leading food producers and home to iconic brands such as Kalev.
The afternoon began with a warm welcome introduction by Kaido Kaare, CEO of Orkla Eesti, who shared valuable insights into the company’s operations and its role in shaping the Estonian food industry. This was followed by a presentation on Estonian Food Industry Challenges, where Mr. Kaare outlined the key issues currently facing the sector and its outlook for the years ahead.
A clear theme emerged throughout the discussion — while the industry is navigating a complex landscape of rising energy and labor costs, record-high cocoa prices, shifting tariffs, and the lingering impacts of war and the COVID pandemic, there remains a strong sense of resilience and innovation among Estonian producers. The dialogue highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities that come with adapting to changing market conditions and consumer expectations.
After this session, participants were treated to a guided tour of the Kalev chocolate production line, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how one of Estonia’s most beloved products is made. Seeing the craftsmanship and technology behind Kalev’s famous chocolates was a highlight of the visit and sparked lively conversations among members.
A big thank you to Orkla and Mr. Kaare for opening their doors to us, and to all members who joined for your engaged questions, reflections, and discussions.
