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Industrial production constitutes about 18% of Estonia’s GDP. Among industrial branches, the production of wood products is one of the best-established industries. That is partly due to the fact that Estonia has a lot of forests which has lead to long traditions in carpentry and log-house making.
In the food industry, dairy, meat and fish products are produced for the internal market as well as for export. Estonians themselves tend to prefer food produced by local companies. According to survey data, the industrial producer with the best reputation in Estonia is the confectionery producer Kalev. Alcoholic beverages have an impressive share of exports and of production amounts.
Large industrial sectors also include light industry, machinery and engineering. Telecommunications equipment is an important export article as mobile phones for international companies are assembled in Estonia. Light industry produces socks, clothing, household linen, cotton fabrics and carpets.
According to data from 2003, machinery and equipment constituted 25%, wood and products of wood 15% and textile products 10.9% of Estonia’s exports.
To find out more about Estonian industry, visit Estonica, the encyclopedia about Estonia. |
