Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Lebanon showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2022. Market volume grew from 15 194 t in 2018 to a peak of 21 668 t in 2022, with a 26% increase in 2019, a 24% contraction in 2020, a 37% rebound in 2021, and a 9% rise in 2022. In value terms, the market expanded from $64.7 million in 2018 to $79.0 million in 2022.

In 2023, market volume plunged by 42% to 12 533 t, while value fell 20% to $62.9 million. This sharp decline coincided with record high global cocoa prices, which raised production costs across the confectionery sector and led to higher retail prices. Consumers, especially those with limited incomes, responded by reducing purchases and shifting toward homemade sweets. Heavy rains damaging cocoa fields in key producing countries further strained raw material supply.

Market pressures persisted into 2024. Sustained high cocoa prices, an increase in gasoline tax, and a rise in VAT contributed to further price hikes, such as a 10% increase at the start of Ramadan. Companies adapted by focusing on alternative products like jelly candy to manage costs, while consumer behavior continued to trend toward reduced consumption or home preparation.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Lebanon

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

Lebanon produced 12 000 tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in 2020, marking a 14.3% year-on-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 31.4%, with an annualized decrease of 11.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 500 tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 40.0%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 33.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Lebanon's cocoa-free sugar confectionery output was valued at 49 670 thousand US dollars, representing an 18.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 27.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 44 708 thousand US dollars. That year also saw the largest decline of 34.7%, while 2019 registered the biggest increase of 36.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon exported 3 270 tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in 2020, showing a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 4.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.7%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 1.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind were distributed across multiple markets. The United States accounted for 18.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 11.4%, and Qatar for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 37.7% of total export flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Lebanon's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports declined in 2020. The country exported 13 534 thousand US dollars worth of these products, down 7.4% from the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 14 623 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were Lebanon's largest buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms, accounting for 18.5%, 10.8%, and 8.3% of exports respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 37.7% of total export value, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Lebanon's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined in 2020. Imports stood at 5 761 tonnes, representing a significant 31.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 25.9%, with an annualized decrease of 9.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 442 tonnes. That year also saw the largest increase of 5.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey, Egypt, and Syria were Lebanon's primary sources for cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in kind, collectively accounting for 56.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value was recorded at 9 391 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 69.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 68.7%, with an annualized decrease of 32.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 34 147 thousand US dollars. That year also saw the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Turkey, and China were Lebanon's principal sources for cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms. Egypt accounted for 24.9% of imports, Turkey for 22.7%, and China for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 54.4% of total import flows.

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

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