Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Asia expanded significantly in volume, driven by rising health consciousness among consumers. This trend spurred the introduction of sugar-free, vegan, and organic product variants, with manufacturers actively developing new offerings to meet demand. The entry of new players into premium and bean-to-bar segments further diversified the market. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains but also sustained demand for healthier snacks, while the adoption of automated production and packaging processes helped maintain output, contributing to a sharp rise in market volume to 1 379 thousand tonnes.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market experienced fluctuations, with a temporary dip in 2021 followed by recovery. The onset of soaring cocoa prices and supply shortages from 2021 onward made cocoa-free alternatives more attractive, supporting demand for sugar confectionery without cocoa. Continuous innovation in low-sugar and sugar-free products, along with flavor diversification, kept consumer interest alive. By 2023, despite record cocoa costs, the market volume stabilized at 1 374 thousand tonnes, buoyed by these health trends and the shift toward sustainable packaging and sourcing practices.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Asia

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

Asia's production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 610 K t, marking a 14.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 309 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 444 M $ US, reflecting a significant 26.6% improvement relative to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 073 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.0%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Asia declined. In 2020, exports reached 675.8 K t, which is 11.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 761.9 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 10.0% of exports, Russia for 2.9%, and Australia for 2.2%, with these three countries together representing just 15.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export value has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 704 M $ US, corresponding to a 2.1% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 915 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Asia in value terms were spread relatively evenly. The United States accounted for 11.6% of exports, Australia for 2.7%, and the United Kingdom for 2.4%, with these three countries jointly representing only 16.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 444.4 K t, marking a 5.7% contraction year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 541.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 25.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports to Asia were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Russia, Ukraine, and Germany—together represented only 16.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia imported approximately 2 405 M $ US, down by 3.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 573 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports to Asia in value terms were allocated across a large number of markets. Russia accounted for 6.7% of imports, Germany for 5.5%, and the United States for 4.7%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 16.8% of total flows.

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

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