Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Eastern Asia expanded from 184.9 thousand tons to 301.7 thousand tons. This growth was driven by rising health awareness, exemplified by China's Healthy China 2030 initiative targeting reduced daily sugar intake. The rapid increase in sugar substitute manufacturers and the wider use of sweeteners in candies, baked goods, and ice cream broadened the sugar-free product range. Simultaneously, functional candies with added vitamins, DHA, and probiotics gained popularity, attracting health-conscious consumers.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume contracted to 156.6 thousand tons by 2023. The primary driver of this decline was a sustained drop in consumption of traditional high-sugar candies, especially among younger consumers who had significantly cut their daily intake. While the sugar-free and functional confectionery segments continued to grow, supported by stricter labeling regulations and a shift toward natural sweeteners like allulose, their expansion could not compensate for the overall reduction in total market volume. Increased competitive pressure and enhanced safety evaluations for food additives further influenced the market consolidation.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Eastern 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

Eastern Asia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 537.8 thousand tons, marking a 14.6% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 429.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year being 10.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 656 million US dollars, showing a solid year-over-year rise of 17.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 1 264 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 17.2% was recorded.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Eastern Asia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export volume declined. In 2020, the region exported 383.9 thousand tons, representing a strong decrease of 14.0% compared to the previous year. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 446.5 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines, the United States, and Indonesia were the top buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Asia, accounting for 15.4%, 11.2%, and 4.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 30.9% of total exports, with the remainder spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 182 million US dollars, down 11.6% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 337 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Asia in value terms were widely distributed among partner countries. The United States, the Philippines, and Australia accounted for 14.3%, 12.5%, and 4.1% of exports, respectively, totaling 30.9% of the overall flows, with the rest dispersed across many other markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 147.9 thousand tons, reflecting a steep year-over-year drop of 27.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 202.8 thousand tons, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Germany, and Malaysia were the leading suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Asia, contributing 12.3%, 11.0%, and 9.0% of imports in kind, respectively. Combined, they represented 32.3% of total imports, with the rest coming from a diverse range of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports reached 767 million US dollars, showing a solid decrease of 12.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 876 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery was supplied to Eastern Asia from a broad set of markets. Germany, the United States, and Thailand accounted for 11.2%, 9.0%, and 7.2% of imports in value terms, respectively, totaling 27.4% of all imports. The remaining 72.6% came from many smaller destinations.

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

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