Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian cocoa-free sugar confectionery market expanded strongly from 58.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 92.4 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was initially fueled by the entry of new players offering protein-enriched and adaptogen-infused products, which catered to rising health concerns and demand for low-glycemic options. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated consumption as home confinement increased demand for comfort confectionery.

Following the 2021 peak, market volume contracted to 83.7 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilized at 83.1 thousand tons in 2023. This adjustment coincided with persistently high global cocoa prices, which increased production costs and likely tempered volume growth. Manufacturers responded by launching new sugar-free products with natural ingredients, which helped maintain market stability despite cost pressures.

Throughout the period, regulatory developments shaped the market environment, including precise Canadian labeling rules for sweeteners and nutritional claims, as well as Quebec's ban on the sale of certain cannabis-infused confections to minors. Concurrently, a sustained consumer shift toward sustainable, vegan, and organic products drove continuous innovation and assortment expansion in the sector.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 21st globally in production volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery.

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

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

Following two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Canada experienced a decline. In 2020, Canada produced 72 635 tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 15.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 73 076 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of improvement, cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Canada saw a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 238.1 million US dollars, representing a 2.1% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 243.2 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 with a 10.0% rise.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Canada declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Canada exported 132.7 thousand tonnes, marking a decrease of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 13.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 155.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the export partner structure in kind, consistently accounting for 97.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported cocoa-free sugar confectionery volumes from Canada declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 435.1 million US dollars, corresponding to a modest decline of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 534.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.5% drop. The largest increase was in 2018 with a 1.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was by far the main destination for cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Canada in value terms, accounting for 96.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a fivefold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada imported 134.7 thousand tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, down by 7.1% from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 78.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 0.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (62.6% of imports in kind), China (6.5% of imports in kind), and Mexico (5.8% of imports in kind) together accounted for 74.9% of total imports in kind of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Canada, making them the main sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports to Canada declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 396.9 million US dollars, down by 5.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 451.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 3.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (61.4% of imports in value terms), China (7.0% of imports in value terms), and Mexico (4.8% of imports in value terms) were the largest suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Canada, together forming 73.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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