Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in the CIS experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After an initial volume of 927.0 thousand tons in 2018, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 820.1 thousand tons by 2020. A recovery to 899.2 thousand tons occurred in 2021, driven by the continued expansion of domestic production and a broader assortment of natural and sugar-free products, as economic restrictions simultaneously reduced reliance on imports.

The market surged significantly to 991.4 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily a response to the largest global cocoa bean shortage in 60 years, which sent cocoa prices to record highs. Manufacturers actively shifted production toward cocoa-free alternatives, reduced product weight while holding prices, and expanded sugar-free offerings. The exit of international brands due to sanctions pressure was absorbed by increased activity from Russian production facilities, preventing shortages and supporting overall market volume.

In 2024, import volumes rose to 150.0 thousand tons while exports held steady at 28.5 thousand tons. Industry drivers indicate a continued focus on cocoa-free confectionery, with producers expanding natural recipe ranges and adapting to new labeling and packaging requirements in response to sustained high cocoa costs and evolving consumer preferences for healthier options.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in CIS

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

Production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 738.6 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 4.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 816.6 thousand tonnes, which represented a 7.5% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in the CIS amounted to 4 781 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 8.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, however, production value decreased by 17.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 423 million US dollars, which marked a significant 23.9% drop from the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2018, reaching 5 815 million US dollars.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from the CIS declined in 2020. Shipments totaled 35.8 thousand tonnes, which is 11.6% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 25.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 40.4 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 26.3% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from the CIS were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Ukraine accounted for 5.6% of exports in volume, China for 4.4%, and Mongolia for 2.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 12.9% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from the CIS declined in 2020. Export revenue totaled 231.5 million US dollars, showing negligible change compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value increased by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 232.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 4.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, China, and Mongolia were among the largest buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the CIS in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 5.5% of export value, China for 4.2%, and Mongolia for 3.0%. However, even combined, these three markets represented only 12.6% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into the CIS declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 117.3 thousand tonnes, constituting a 4.9% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 15.1%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 142.4 thousand tonnes, which marked a 3.1% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 13.4%.

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

The structure of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into the CIS from 2017 to 2020 can be described as highly diversified. Ukraine accounted for 19.7% of import volume, Turkey for 6.8%, and Germany for 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 31.1% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into the CIS declined in 2020. Import spending totaled 402.1 million US dollars, down by 6.3% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 429.0 million US dollars, which represented a 6.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into the CIS in value terms remained highly diversified. Ukraine accounted for 13.9% of import value, Germany for 8.7%, and Turkey for 6.9%. Together, these three markets represented only 29.5% of total import flows, with the remaining 70.5% coming from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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