Chocolate and cocoa products market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for chocolate and cocoa products in Germany contracted sharply from 148.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 60.4 thousand tons in 2023. The initial decline in 2020 was directly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced consumer demand for chocolate products. This was compounded by rising raw material prices for cocoa and sugar, which increased production costs and pressured market volumes.

The market continued to shrink through 2021-2023 as import prices for cocoa beans surged, reaching a 91.5% year-on-year increase in October 2023. High global demand for chocolate, particularly from emerging economies, supported strong German exports, which further limited domestic availability. Major players like Mondelēz, Nestlé, and Lindt Sprüngli focused on sustainable practices and premium segments, aligning with shifting consumer preferences.

These consumer trends, including a move toward dark chocolate, vegan alternatives, and products with functional ingredients, reshaped the product mix but did not offset the overall volume decline. The persistent rise in cocoa costs, driven by global production shortfalls, remained the primary drag on the internal market size through 2024.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany held the third position globally in the production of chocolate and cocoa products.

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, chocolate and cocoa products production in Germany saw an increase. In 2020, Germany produced 565 K t of chocolate and cocoa products, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 562 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.6% drop.

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

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, chocolate and cocoa products exports from Germany experienced a decline. In 2020, Germany exported 922.6 K t of chocolate and cocoa products, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 5%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 931.1 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 3.2%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France (12.7% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (10.6% of exports in kind), and Poland (9.0% of exports in kind) were the top buyers of chocolate and cocoa products from Germany. However, their combined share was only 32.3% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified export structure across multiple countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign chocolate and cocoa products supplies from Germany declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany exported 5 009 M $ US of chocolate and cocoa products, representing a 3.4% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 5 209 M $ US, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (11.6% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (10.2% of exports in value terms), and Poland (7.6% of exports in value terms) formed the leading group of buyers for German chocolate and cocoa products. Their combined contribution was 29.4% of total exports in value terms, highlighting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year rise, chocolate and cocoa products imports into Germany declined. In 2020, imports reached 502.7 K t, showing a modest reduction of 3.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 7.1%, which equates to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 522.7 K t, with the largest increase recorded in 2019 at 6.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, collectively accounting for 54.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chocolate and cocoa products imports into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 461 M $ US, reflecting a moderate fall of 3.2% compared to the previous year. The peak import value was in 2018 at 2 562 M $ US, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 5.6%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Belgium (19.0% of imports in value terms), Switzerland (18.7% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (14.1% of imports in value terms) consistently remained the primary sources for imports in value terms, together making up 51.8% of total import flows.

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

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