Chocolate bars market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian chocolate bar market volume grew from 25 674 tons in 2018 to 36 194 tons in 2020. This expansion coincided with the launch of the Beyond Chocolate initiative in 2018, which aimed to make all Belgian chocolate sustainable by 2025, and resilient household demand, with average chocolate spending rising to €173 per household in 2020.

Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 24 985 tons in 2022. During this period, the European Union adopted legislation in December 2022 prohibiting imports of cocoa from land deforested after 2020, directly affecting Belgium's supply chain. The number of active chocolatiers in Belgium also expanded to 755, increasing competitive pressure.

A strong recovery followed, with volume reaching 33 537 tons in 2023 and 36 986 tons in 2024. Belgian per capita consumption remained high at around 6 kg per year despite inflationary pressures, while cocoa prices rose by more than 38% between January 2022 and March 2024, reflecting sustained demand. By 2023, 57% of Belgian chocolate was certified or covered by sustainability programs, further underpinning the market.

Production chocolate bars in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Belgium, the production value of chocolate bars reached 199.5 million US dollars in 2020, showing a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 194.3 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 211.7 million US dollars. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 8.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Chocolate bar production in Belgium has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Belgium produced 30 278 tonnes of chocolate bars, marking a 20.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chocolate bars from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Chocolate bar exports from Belgium have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 48 328 tonnes, down by 12.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 22.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 63 039 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 12.5%, while the smallest increase was in 2018 at 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States were the top contributors to Belgium's chocolate bar exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.6% of exports, France for 22.1%, and the United States for 8.9%. Together, these three countries made up 68.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chocolate bar exports from Belgium have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 325.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 18.7%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States remained the primary markets for Belgium's chocolate bar exports in value terms. The Netherlands contributed 36.1% of export value, France 19.6%, and the United States 9.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 65.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chocolate bars to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Chocolate bar imports into Belgium have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 54 244 tonnes, reflecting a 5.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 27.7%, equating to an annualized increase of 8.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 42 314 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 0.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 21.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were the key sources for Belgium's chocolate bar imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chocolate bar imports into Belgium have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 259.0 million US dollars worth of chocolate bars, showing a substantial increase of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland stood out as the main sources for Belgium's chocolate bar imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 46.2% of import value, the Netherlands for 15.0%, and Poland for 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.5% of total import flows.

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

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