Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery showed notable fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023, moving from 341 thousand tonnes to a peak of 389 thousand tonnes in 2020 before settling at 354 thousand tonnes in 2023. The period was marked by growth in 2019 and 2020, followed by a contraction in 2021, a partial recovery in 2022, and another decline in 2023.

In 2024, the market environment was shaped by significant manufacturing investments and shifting consumer preferences. Hershey expanded its production and R&D footprint in Malaysia to develop products tailored for the Asian market. Concurrently, rising health awareness accelerated demand for sugar-free confectionery, leading to new product launches from global brands like Nestlé and Asher’s Chocolate that utilize natural sweeteners.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in ASEAN

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

In 2020, ASEAN produced 381.4 thousand tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, representing an 8.1% year-on-year increase. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 352.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 4.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.1%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

ASEAN's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 98.4 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 9.2% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 145.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 18.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.6% drop. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, ASEAN's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports were distributed across a broad range of buyers. China accounted for 17.1% of exports in volume, the United States for 5.3%, and South Korea for 4.8%. Together, these three countries contributed only 27.3% of total exports, with many other nations holding smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports amounted to 488.8 million US dollars, showing a notable 19.4% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 578.6 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 409.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.3%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 12.5%, averaging an annualized decline of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms were supplied to a diverse set of markets. China accounted for 10.1% of exports by value, the United States for 7.6%, and South Korea for 4.8%. Combined, these three countries represented only 22.5% of total exports, with the remaining 77.5% coming from numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

ASEAN's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 105.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate 4.3% decrease from 2019. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 116.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 28.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.2% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to ASEAN were relatively evenly distributed. China accounted for 41.3% of imports by volume, the United States for 1.9%, and Turkey for 1.7%. Together, these three countries made up only 44.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN imported 429.9 million US dollars worth of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, a 5.0% increase from the previous year. The highest import value was in 2018 at 507.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%. The lowest was in 2019 at 409.5 million US dollars, experiencing the largest decline of 19.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. China accounted for 29.7% of imports by value, the United States for 2.9%, and Japan for 2.2%. Combined, these three countries represented just 34.7% of total import flows.

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

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