Chocolate and cocoa products market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chocolate and cocoa products in the CIS expanded from 2018 to 2019, with volume rising from 1 191 thousand tons to 1 259 thousand tons and value from 7 471 million USD to 7 794 million USD. This growth was driven by global trends favoring premium cocoa-rich products and innovative offerings with reduced sugar, alongside an expanding product range and active operations by major producers.

The market faced contractions in 2020 and 2022. The 2020 decline to 1 203 thousand tons in volume and 6 832 million USD in value resulted from COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, supply chain issues, and rising cocoa prices. In 2022, volume fell to 1 279 thousand tons and value to 7 362 million USD as cocoa bean prices surged further, increasing production costs and reducing consumer demand, even though the number of manufacturers remained stable after some foreign exits.

Recovery and growth resumed in 2021 and 2023. In 2021, volume jumped to 1 308 thousand tons and value to 9 167 million USD, supported by increased chocolate production in Russia. By 2023, volume reached 1 391 thousand tons and value 8 849 million USD, with production growing 8% despite a global cocoa shortage due to poor harvests in West Africa. This shortage also prompted shifts toward white chocolate and products with cocoa butter substitutes.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, chocolate and cocoa products production in the CIS declined. In 2020, the region produced 1 172.9 thousand tons, marking a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 1 198.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chocolate and cocoa products output in the CIS was 6 615 million US dollars, representing an 11.9% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 8.7%, corresponding to an average annual decrease of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 508 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 4.5% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of chocolate and cocoa products from the CIS increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 154.3 thousand tons, up 11.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 46.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of chocolate and cocoa products from the CIS in volume terms were distributed across numerous countries. China accounted for 14.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 3.4%, and Ukraine for 3.3%, with these three countries together representing only 20.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, chocolate and cocoa products shipments from the CIS to abroad reached 870 million US dollars, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data for 2017-2020 show that exports of chocolate and cocoa products from the CIS in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. China accounted for 12.6% of exports, Ukraine for 3.8%, and Saudi Arabia for 3.3%, with these three countries together making up only 19.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, chocolate and cocoa products import volume in the CIS declined. In 2020, imports totaled 184.1 thousand tons, reflecting a measured reduction of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 199.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The partner structure of imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Germany accounted for 11.7% of imports, Ukraine for 8.4%, and Italy for 4.2%, with these three countries together representing only 24.4% of total flows, and no single country held a dominant share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imported chocolate and cocoa products volumes in the CIS declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1 088 million US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 6.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 156 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Germany accounted for 17.8% of imports, Poland for 7.0%, and Ukraine for 6.4%, with these three countries together representing just 31.2% of total flows, and no country held a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020