Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in ECOWAS grew steadily from 2018 to 2021, with volume increasing from 99 372 t to 119 888 t. Market value reached its highest point at 234.7 million US dollars in 2020. This expansion coincided with market consolidation, including Carambar & Co's acquisition of Lutti in late 2018, which reinforced the competitive landscape dominated by Haribo.

After 2021, market volume contracted, falling to 98 906 t in 2022 and 89 658 t in 2023. During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the sector, though recovery efforts were noted. Inflation for key inputs like sugar and packaging drove up prices, contributing to a rise in market value to 210.3 million US dollars in 2022 despite lower volume. The market remained concentrated, with Haribo commanding 43% share and Carambar & Co 24% in 2023. By 2024, factors such as higher household budgets, a shift toward healthier confectionery options, and harmonised European regulations were shaping the market's direction.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

After two years of growth, ECOWAS's production volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery declined. In 2020, the region produced 42 042 tonnes, marking a moderate 3.4% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 43 527 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 10.5% rise.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

ECOWAS's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 520 tonnes, showing a gradual 9.9% reduction compared to the prior year. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 8 221 tonnes. The most significant decline happened in 2019 with a 25.5% drop, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 46.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of exports in kind was highly dispersed. Congo, the Netherlands, and Gabon each accounted for small shares—1.1%, 1.0%, and 1.0% of exports in kind, respectively—totaling just 3.1% of all flows. The remaining 96.9% was distributed among a wide array of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, ECOWAS's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms rebounded. In 2020, export value reached 20.2 million US dollars, up 4.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated ECOWAS's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms. Congo, Mauritania, and the Netherlands held shares of 3.2%, 1.6%, and 1.6%, respectively, combining for only 6.5% of total export value. Many smaller partners each contributed modest individual shares, reflecting a fragmented market structure.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

ECOWAS's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 74 009 tonnes, up 4.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 11%, averaging a 3.6% annual growth rate. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 65 223 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.1%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with an 8.4% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China, India, and Turkey were the key partners for ECOWAS's imports in kind. China accounted for 37.3% of imports, India for 13.1%, and Turkey for 7.0%, together making up 57.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to ECOWAS increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 101.0 million US dollars, representing a steep 52.6% rise from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 47.9%, with an average annual rate of 13.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 64.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. China, Colombia, and India held shares of 31.8%, 8.3%, and 7.0%, respectively, totaling 47.1% of all flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position, indicating a balanced distribution among various partners.

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

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