Chocolate bars market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German chocolate bar market volume grew from 391 thousand tons to 440 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by a shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable, fair-trade, and vegan products, which stimulated demand for new varieties. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated this trend by increasing home consumption and boosting the importance of online distribution channels.

Despite record-high cocoa prices from 2022 onward, which raised production costs, market volume showed resilience. Continuous consumer interest in premium, organic, and reduced-sugar chocolate bars, along with ongoing flavor and texture innovations, helped sustain consumption. After a slight dip to 439 thousand tons in 2022, the market recovered to 456 thousand tons by 2024.

Regulatory developments, including the EU's new packaging ordinance, and a sustained focus on sustainability and traceability continued to shape product offerings. The market remained dominated by major manufacturers, while seasonal items and the growth of e-commerce provided additional sales avenues throughout the period.

Production chocolate bars in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's chocolate bar production was valued at 3 172 million US dollars, marking a 7.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.0%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 8.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's chocolate bar production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 694.1 thousand tons of chocolate bars, representing a moderate 4.7% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Exports chocolate bars from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's chocolate bar exports declined. In 2020, the country exported 428.8 thousand tons, down 0.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 432.0 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year at 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany supplied chocolate bars to numerous markets, with even the top destinations—the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium—accounting for only 29.5% of total exports in volume.

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

Following two years of gains, Germany's chocolate bar exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 2 425 million US dollars, a 5.2% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.4%, with an annualized rate of 1.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 2 557 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.3%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's chocolate bar exports in value were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. France (10.7% of export value), the United Kingdom (9.7%), and Poland (6.5%) together made up just 26.8% of total flows.

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 bars to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's chocolate bar imports in volume declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 145.4 thousand tons, a significant 12.4% decrease year-over-year. The peak volume was in 2019 at 166.1 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (27.4% of import volume), the Netherlands (25.4%), and Austria (15.3%) led as the top suppliers of chocolate bars to Germany, with their combined share reaching 68.1% of total imports in volume.

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

After two years of increase, Germany's chocolate bar imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 737 million US dollars, down 12.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.3%, with an annualized rate of -1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 839 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, three main markets—Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria—together accounted for 65.5% of Germany's total chocolate bar imports in value terms.

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

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