Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced strong growth in volume and value through 2019, fueled by the rapid expansion of the retail industry and rising consumer demand for convenient snacks. This period also saw growing interest in health-oriented products, including allergen-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, supported by continuous innovation in ingredients and flavors.

Market volume contracted significantly in 2020 and 2021, influenced by the introduction of front-of-pack labeling regulations in Mexico (NOM‑051) starting October 2020, which compelled manufacturers to reformulate products with reduced sugar content. A rebound in consumption occurred in 2022 as post‑pandemic activities resumed, leading to a stabilization of market volume alongside increased candy sales in key markets like Mexico.

By 2023, the market demonstrated a clear shift toward higher‑value, sugar‑free confectionery, backed by a US$75 million investment aimed at expanding production and distribution in Mexico and targeting the Hispanic market in the United States. This move reflected the broader regional trend toward health‑conscious products, with manufacturers focusing on organic ingredients and diversified retail channels.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Latin America and the Caribbean

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 Latin America and the Caribbean, production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery reached 638.1 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 16.2% decline from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 521.2 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 761.5 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year increase was in 2019, when production surged by 46.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 2 324 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a sharp 17.1% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 9.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 074 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 802 million US dollars. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a 35.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 317.7 thousand tons of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, representing an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 304.0 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 347.8 thousand tons. The most substantial year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, with exports growing by 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 45.3% of exports, Canada for 1.6%, and Nigeria for 1.1%, together making up 48.0% of total flows. The remaining 52.0% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Latin America and the Caribbean's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports were valued at 1 157 million US dollars in 2020, showing a modest 9.6% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 9%, with an average annual decline rate of 3.1%. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at 1 280 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase that year at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary buyer of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 59.5% of export value, followed by Canada at 1.3% and Nigeria at 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 122.2 thousand tons, down 5.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 5.4%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 137.4 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase that year at 18.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 6.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms to Latin America and the Caribbean came from a wide range of countries. The United States contributed 11.6% of imports, China 9.6%, and Spain 1.9%, together accounting for 23.1% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified supplier base.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery into Latin America and the Caribbean fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 550 million US dollars, a 23.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 26.1%, with an average annual decrease of 9.6%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 753 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase that year at 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States was the largest supplier of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, accounting for 18.1% of imports, followed by China at 8.3% and Spain at 3.0%. Together, these three countries made up 29.4% of total import value, reflecting a diversified country structure with many smaller suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020