Chocolate bars market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian chocolate bar market expanded from 43 676 т in 2018 to 47 896 т in 2019, driven by rising consumer purchasing power and the expansion of modern retail into smaller urban and rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic then caused a significant contraction in 2020, reducing market volume by 10.7%. Recovery began in 2021, with volume reaching 47 357 т, supported by a dynamic chocolate bar segment and Romania's emerging role as a regional hub for premium chocolate production. During this period, local manufacturers filled supply gaps left by the closure of major factories such as Mondelēz in Brașov and Nestlé in Timișoara.

From 2022 onward, the market faced the global cocoa crisis, which brought record prices and supply shortages. This led companies to adjust strategies, including reducing product sizes, while mandatory labeling rules for minimum cocoa content came into effect. Despite these challenges, the market value grew steadily, reaching 276.8 млн долл. США in 2024, as higher cocoa costs drove up prices. However, physical volume declined to 42 371 т in 2024, reflecting consumer adjustment to increased prices and ongoing supply constraints.

Production chocolate bars in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's chocolate bar production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Romania produced 11,427 tonnes of chocolate bars, reflecting a slight decline of 1.2% from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, production decreased by 14.9%, which equates to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

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

Exports chocolate bars from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, the volume of chocolate bars exported from Romania amounted to 6,193 tonnes, down by 13.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,572 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 7,129 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 19.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 55.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's chocolate bar exports were not concentrated on a few key markets. Bulgaria accounted for 19.9% of exports in kind, Poland for 10.3%, and Slovakia for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Romania's cross-border shipments of chocolate bars declined. In 2020, Romania exported $37.6 million worth of chocolate bars, indicating a significant loss of 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 32.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $46.3 million, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 48.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovakia were important buyers of Romanian chocolate bars in value terms, accounting for 12.3%, 11.2%, and 9.7% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 33.2% of total exports in value, with the remaining 66.8% distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports chocolate bars to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, the volume of chocolate bars imported into Romania declined. In 2020, Romania imported a total of 41,600 tonnes of chocolate bars, down by 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 30.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 43,597 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria accounted for the largest share of Romania's chocolate bar imports in kind. Germany represented 40.1% of imports, Poland 15.3%, and Bulgaria 11.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 67.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Romania's chocolate bar import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled $165.1 million, amounting to a slight rise of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria together absorbed 68.7% of Romania's total chocolate bar imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 48.3% of imports, Poland for 11.6%, and Bulgaria for 8.7%, making them the main sources of imports.

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

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