Chocolate and cocoa products market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Northern European market for chocolate and cocoa products saw its value increase steadily from 2.3 billion USD to 3.9 billion USD. In physical terms, market volume grew from 393 thousand tonnes to a peak of 662 thousand tonnes in 2022, before declining to 587 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating a shift towards higher-value products.

By 2024, key influences included rising consumer preference for healthier options with higher cocoa content, less sugar, and functional ingredients. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive came into force in July 2024, introducing new sustainability regulations. Global supply chain disruptions and severe weather in West Africa also drove significant cocoa price increases, affecting production costs.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Northern Europe

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 Northern Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 122 915 tons, marking a 15.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's chocolate and cocoa products production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 798.8 million US dollars, showing a 7.8% advance from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 24%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 619.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 19.5% rise.

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

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe's chocolate and cocoa products exports reached 342.7 thousand tons, representing a limited year-on-year rise of 9.0%. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 11.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were important buyers of chocolate and cocoa products from Northern Europe, accounting for 8.1%, 6.8%, and 6.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 21.6% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 78.4% distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's chocolate and cocoa products export volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 2 227 million US dollars, which is 2.2% stronger compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chocolate and cocoa products from Northern Europe were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway—together represented only 20.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Chocolate and cocoa products volumes in Northern Europe have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 698.2 thousand tons, showing a modest uptick of 6.6% from a year earlier. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 634.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in kind of chocolate and cocoa products to Northern Europe relied on a wide range of partner countries. Germany, Poland, and Belgium accounted for 20.7%, 12.9%, and 12.5% of imports in kind, respectively, but together they took just 46.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, imported chocolate and cocoa products volumes in Northern Europe totalled 4 056 million US dollars, amounting to a rise of 5.7% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for chocolate and cocoa products to Northern Europe was broad. Germany, Belgium, and Poland contributed 22.4%, 11.5%, and 11.2% of imports in value terms, respectively, but together they accounted for only 45.1% of total imports in value terms, while many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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