Chocolate and cocoa products market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market volume for chocolate and cocoa products in Eastern Asia grew from 245.5 thousand tonnes to 271.2 thousand tonnes. This expansion was partly driven by the widening use of chocolate in food segments beyond traditional confectionery, such as bakery, new tea drinks, and ice cream, which increased overall consumption. The market then experienced a slight contraction to 266.9 thousand tonnes in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, although stable at-home demand prevented a steeper decline.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume jumping to 303.6 thousand tonnes. This surge was fueled by rising consumer interest in healthier options, including low-sugar and low-fat chocolate products, and the entry of new domestic brands that began competing with established foreign companies. Subsequently, market volume fell sharply to 261.0 thousand tonnes in 2022, reflecting a broad-based contraction in consumption during that period.

By 2023, the market volume showed signs of stabilization at 254.2 thousand tonnes. In value terms, however, the market grew to $1,456 million, indicating a consumer shift towards more premium and higher-value products. This trend was supported by ongoing diversification of chocolate applications in the food industry and growing manufacturer focus on sustainable cocoa sourcing practices.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

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

Chocolate and cocoa products production in Eastern Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output was at its highest, reaching 17 918 tonnes, but by 2020, it had dropped to 12 486 tonnes, an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.1%, averaging a 1.4% annual decline. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 24.1% reduction, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 37.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of chocolate and cocoa products production in Eastern Asia has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, production peaked at 95 108 thousand US dollars, but in 2020, it fell to 69 798 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.8% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 6.9%, with an average annual decrease of 2.4%. The sharpest decline was in 2019, at 19.5%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 26.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of chocolate and cocoa products from Eastern Asia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports were at 103.4 thousand tonnes, but in 2020, they fell to this level, representing a 14.6% drop from the previous year. The peak was in 2018, with 127.3 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that year, at 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was diversified, with no single country dominating. The Philippines accounted for 7.0% of exports, Australia for 5.6%, and the United States for 4.0%, together making up just 16.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, exports of chocolate and cocoa products from Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, exports reached a high of 681 million US dollars, but in 2020, they dropped to 578 million US dollars, a 15.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 4.8%, averaging a 1.6% annual decline. The largest increase was in 2018, at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner portfolio in value terms was broad, with the United States contributing 5.3%, the Philippines 5.2%, and Australia 4.9%, together representing only 15.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, imports of chocolate and cocoa products into Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 378.7 thousand tonnes, but in 2020, they fell to 357.8 thousand tonnes, a modest 5.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest increase was in 2018, at 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were widely distributed across many markets. Singapore accounted for 18.3% of imports, Malaysia for 11.5%, and Russia for 9.1%, together making up 38.9% of total flows, with the remaining 61.1% spread among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, imports of chocolate and cocoa products into Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, imports reached a high of 1 936 million US dollars, but in 2020, they dropped to 1 764 million US dollars, reflecting an 8.9% reduction from the previous year. The largest increase was in 2018, at 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of imports in value terms was dispersed. Italy accounted for 12.6% of imports, Singapore for 11.1%, and the United States for 10.5%, together forming just 34.3% of total flows, with the remaining 65.7% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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