Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in the Americas expanded to 485 thousand tons in 2019, fueled by the entry of new international players such as Hershey and Godiva, which invested in R&D to promote sugar-free chocolate, alongside growing consumer health awareness that shifted demand toward low-calorie options. The market volume then contracted to 364 thousand tons in 2020, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that, while boosting at-home snacking, also triggered supply chain disruptions affecting production and availability.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 419 thousand tons in 2021, sustained by strong consumer preference for healthier variants like organic, sugar-free, and vegan confectionery, leading companies to reformulate products by cutting sugar and adding proteins and fibers. However, volume fell to 369 thousand tons in 2022, likely pressured by economic factors such as rising cocoa prices, which increased production costs. By 2023, the market stabilized at 372 thousand tons, supported by continued innovation in 'healthy' sweets and broad household penetration, with nine out of ten households purchasing confectionery.

In 2024, regulatory developments including the full phase-out of titanium dioxide in confectionery and heightened demand for premium, ethical, and sugar-free products continued to shape the landscape, with major players like Hershey and Nestlé launching initiatives focused on specialized cocoa and regenerative agriculture.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in the Americas declined. In 2020, production reached 710.7 K t, down 14.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 834.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 41.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery output in the Americas was 20 434 M $ US, a 12.0% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 14%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 17 472 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 23 212 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 32.9%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 276 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 492 K t, resulting in a 1.8-fold variation. In 2020, the Americas exported 465 K t of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, a moderate contraction of 5.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 77.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria (0.8% of exports in kind), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (0.6% of exports in kind), and Guinea (0.6% of exports in kind) together absorbed 2.1% of total cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind from the Americas, making them the primary destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the export value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the Americas stood at 1 592 M $ US, reflecting a gradual decline of 9.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.8%.

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

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports to the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 119 K t, marking a 16.3% year-on-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 96.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 68.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. China (8.7% of imports in kind), Spain (2.5% of imports in kind), and Germany (1.4% of imports in kind) together accounted for only 12.5% of total flows, while the remaining 87.5% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports to the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 954 M $ US, showing a substantial decrease of 16.4% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 211 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 2.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to the Americas were not concentrated on a few key markets. China (7.7% of imports in value terms), Spain (3.0% of imports in value terms), and Germany (2.4% of imports in value terms) jointly accounted for only 13.1% of total flows.

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

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