Chocolate bars market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Polish chocolate bar market contracted by over 60% in volume, from 91.7 K t to 33.6 K t. Market value fell from $393.4 million to $147.0 million. This decline was driven by a drop in domestic production from 103.5 K t to 92.4 K t and reduced imports, while exports grew from 85.2 K t to 118.1 K t.

After 2020, import volumes recovered, reaching 76.7 K t in 2024, while exports continued to expand, peaking at 157.7 K t in 2023. In value terms, both imports and exports rose even more sharply due to a surge in global cocoa prices. By 2024, high and volatile cocoa prices, caused by poor harvests in West Africa, climate change, and speculation, significantly raised chocolate production costs in Poland, leading to higher retail prices and affecting consumption.

Consumer preferences in Poland shifted toward products with simple ingredients, vegan, sugar-free, or reduced-sugar options, as well as functional chocolate products. At the same time, the introduction of European environmental regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) required producers to switch to sustainable cocoa sources and improve supply chain transparency. Major players like Wedel adapted their offerings to these new market conditions.

Production chocolate bars in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, chocolate bar production in Poland was valued at 411.3 million US dollars, marking a moderate 5.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 6.2%, with an average annual decrease of 2.1%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 391.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 478.0 million US dollars. The largest decline of 18.1% was recorded in 2019, and the largest increase of 9.0% took place in 2018.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Chocolate bar production in Poland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 92.4 thousand tons of chocolate bars, representing a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 2.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The peak production was in 2018 at 103.5 thousand tons. The largest decline of 8.7% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 9.2% was recorded in 2018.

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

Exports chocolate bars from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Chocolate bar exports from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 118.1 thousand tons, showing a significant 24.8% improvement compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 68%, with an average annual increase of 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chocolate bar exports from Poland were not heavily concentrated. The United Kingdom accounted for 18.4% of exports in kind, Germany for 13.3%, and France for 10.8%, with these three countries together capturing only 42.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chocolate bar exports from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 555.7 million US dollars, representing a substantial 25.0% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 66.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chocolate bar exports from Poland in value terms were spread across many countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 20.0% of exports in value terms, Germany for 14.2%, and France for 11.1%, with these three partners jointly representing only 45.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chocolate bars to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's chocolate bar imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 59.3 thousand tons, marking a modest 7.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 73.4 thousand tons. The largest decline of 12.7% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 12.2% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the main source for chocolate bar imports to Poland, accounting for 40.8% of imports in kind, followed by the United Kingdom at 14.0% and the Netherlands at 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented 68.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's chocolate bar imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 291.3 million US dollars, equivalent to a slight 1.5% fall compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 324.7 million US dollars. The largest decline of 8.9% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 14.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany was the key partner for chocolate bar imports to Poland in value terms, accounting for 50.1% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 10.1% and the United Kingdom at 9.5%. These three countries jointly represented 69.7% of total import flows.

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

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