The article discusses the disconnect between the significant drop in global sugar prices and the situation in Estonia, where consumers have yet to see any benefits in terms of lower retail prices. According to Coop Estonia's purchasing director Oliver Rist, the price of sugar on the global market has decreased by over a third over the past year, with a notable 10% drop in just the last month. However, the prices in Estonian stores have remained stable, primarily because of the high tariffs imposed by the European Union which prevent cheaper sugar from entering the local market.

Rist explains that while sugar is cheaper outside of the European Union, the cost of bringing it into Estonia is not feasible due to these tariffs. This situation is further complicated by the fact that the prices of related products, such as jam, are more affected by the cost of ingredients like berries rather than sugar itself. In contrast, chocolate prices have decreased owing to falling cocoa market prices, indicating a complex pricing landscape influenced by multiple factors beyond just sugar supply.

The article highlights the implications of EU trade policies and consumer expectations in Estonia, illustrating how global market trends do not necessarily translate into local price changes. It raises questions about market competitiveness and consumer impact in a constrained trade environment where policy decisions directly affect accessibility to lower prices seen elsewhere in the world.