Chocolate and cocoa products market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian market for chocolate and cocoa products demonstrated a general expansion from 26 409 t in 2018 to a peak of 33 480 t in 2023, with a temporary contraction in 2020. This growth was interrupted by a decline to 30 297 t in 2024, marking a recent downturn in overall consumption volume.

The period of market growth, particularly noticeable around 2022, coincided with significant shifts in global consumer trends directly affecting Lithuania. Rising demand for specialty chocolates with higher cocoa content, less sugar, and functional ingredients, alongside the launch of new product lines like vegan dark chocolates, supported market volume. A growing consumer emphasis on ethical sourcing, sustainability, and transparency also played a role in shaping demand, even as global supply chain disruptions and price increases for cocoa from major producers like Ghana and Ivory Coast introduced cost pressures for manufacturers and importers.

Domestic production followed a strong upward trajectory, more than doubling from 26 891 t in 2018 to over 41 000 t in 2023, before a modest correction in 2024. This increase in output was accompanied by substantial growth in export volumes, indicating the strengthening competitive position of Lithuanian manufacturers in international markets.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's chocolate and cocoa products production rebounded in 2021 after a two-year decline. The output value reached 65 426 K $ US, marking a 14.2% increase compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 57 304 K $ US, which represented the largest decline of 8.7% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania ranked 16th globally in the production of chocolate and cocoa products.

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2018-2021

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2018-2021

In 2021, Lithuania produced 32 357 t of chocolate and cocoa products, showing a robust 14.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 20.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 0.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Chocolate and cocoa products exports from Lithuania increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 35 056 t, a 1.9% gain compared to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Latvia were key buyers of Lithuanian chocolate and cocoa products, accounting for 17.8%, 14.2%, and 11.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 44.0% of total exports, with the remaining 56.0% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Chocolate and cocoa products exports from Lithuania grew for the third year in a row in 2021, totaling 166.4 M $ US, a modest 7.9% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 23.5%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018–2021, Lithuania exported chocolate and cocoa products to many countries. Even the largest destinations—Poland, Latvia, and the United Kingdom—collectively represented only 40.3% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Chocolate and cocoa products imports into Lithuania rose for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 33 479 t, a slight 0.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 15.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Belgium remained the primary suppliers of chocolate and cocoa products to Lithuania, contributing 23.2%, 15.7%, and 13.4% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 52.3% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Lithuania's chocolate and cocoa products imports increased for the third year in a row in 2021, with a volume of 138.9 M $ US, showing a gradual 4.4% rise from the year before. Over the period 2018-2021, imports grew by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Germany, and Belgium were the main sources of chocolate and cocoa products imports into Lithuania, accounting for 26.0%, 19.1%, and 10.9% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they made up 56.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021