Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Eastern Europe saw notable shifts. In 2019, a weakening local currency and rising costs for raw materials like sugar reduced import volumes, contributing to a decline in the overall market size to 824 thousand tons. The following year, domestic manufacturers invested in new production lines, and sanctions-related pressures further limited imports, which together helped lift domestic output and restore the market volume to 838 thousand tons.

Growth accelerated from 2021, supported by the recovery of import flows and the entry of new local brands focusing on sugar-free products, which expanded consumer choice. The exit of major international companies such as Nestlé and Mars in 2022 reshaped the competitive landscape, while inflationary pressures constrained production costs. Nonetheless, the market volume stabilized around 914 thousand tons that year. A significant expansion occurred in 2023, with volume jumping to 1 039 thousand tons, driven by sustained government support and a marked shift in consumer preference toward cocoa-free alternatives as global cocoa bean prices surged.

Trends observed in 2024 included the launch of new production lines for sugar-free items, responding to health-conscious demand, and the start of an experimental phase for mandatory product labeling, which prepares the ground for future regulation. A continued reduction in imports from traditional supplier countries further strengthened the position of domestic manufacturers.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery reached 955.2 thousand tons in 2020, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 968.9 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 5.9% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The output value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 3 596 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a gradual uptick of 3.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year increase, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)'s volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports declined in 2020. The region exported 326.6 thousand tons that year, showing a reduction of 0.6% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 9.4%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 328.6 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 5.6% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Germany accounted for 9.6% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 7.3%, and Kazakhstan for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 24.1% of total export flows, while the remaining 75.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery shipments from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The region exported 1 229 million US dollars worth of these goods, corresponding to a small increase of 2.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 12.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan were important buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Germany accounted for 11.5% of exports, the United Kingdom for 8.4%, and Kazakhstan for 4.7%. Their combined share reached only 24.5% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining 75.5% distributed among many other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 228.2 thousand tons of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in 2020, equivalent to a moderate increase of 3.3% versus the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 228.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The market base for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Germany accounted for 18.5% of imports in kind, Turkey for 7.9%, and Kazakhstan for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 67.8% shared by numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, cross-border shipments of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Imports totaled 888 million US dollars, marking a small decrease of 0.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 894 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017–2020, the partner portfolio for imports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was quite broad. Germany accounted for 23.1% of imports in value terms, Turkey for 5.5%, and Spain for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 33.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020