Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. After increasing to 13 005 tons in 2019, market volume declined over the next two years, falling to 10 493 tons in 2021. In value terms, the market followed a similar trajectory, dropping to $32 million in 2021 from a peak of $38.4 million in 2019.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a sustained growth phase. Volume recovered to 11 049 tons in 2022 and continued to rise, reaching 13 689 tons in 2024. This expansion was primarily driven by a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, low-sugar confectionery options, which prompted manufacturers to expand their sugar-free product portfolios. Concurrently, rising production costs contributed to increased prices, resulting in market value growing at a faster rate to $55.2 million in 2024.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production rebounded in value terms. In 2021, output reached 13 682 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 28.0% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader 2018-2021 period, production actually decreased by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The lowest point was recorded in 2020 at 10 689 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of contraction, Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production volume showed recovery. In 2021, the country produced 4 444 tonnes, representing a 21.6% increase over the previous year. However, over the full 2018-2021 timeframe, production declined substantially by 39.8%, translating to an average annual decrease of 15.6%. Production hit its lowest level in 2020 at 3 655 tonnes, with the most significant year-on-year reduction occurring in 2019 at 43.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms grew for the second straight year. In 2021, shipments reached 8 943 tonnes, up 11.3% from 2020. Despite this recent growth, exports over the 2018-2021 period decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The export volume was at its lowest in 2019 at 7 788 tonnes, which also saw the steepest year-on-year drop of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Analysis of 2018-2021 data reveals that Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports were not heavily concentrated among a few key markets. The top three destinations—Latvia (24.5% of export volume), Poland (11.0%), and the Netherlands (10.7%)—collectively accounted for just 46.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

For the second consecutive year, Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports increased in value. In 2021, export value totaled 33 258 thousand US dollars, rising 18.2% year-over-year. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 24.1%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 7.5%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 25 100 thousand US dollars, which also experienced a 6.3% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia (25.6% of export value), Russia (14.0%), and Estonia (10.8%) consistently served as the primary destinations for Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in monetary terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 50.4% of total export value during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Lithuania's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 14 992 tonnes, showing a moderate 4.1% decrease compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 timeframe, imports actually increased by 13.8%, representing an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. Import volume peaked in 2019 at 16 640 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 26.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 6.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, three markets—Ukraine, Germany, and Poland—consistently formed the core of Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in volume terms, together accounting for 52.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Lithuania's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms declined. In 2021, import value totaled 51 618 thousand US dollars, falling 2.4% from the previous year. Despite this recent decrease, imports over the 2018-2021 period increased by 15.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2020 at 52 882 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 with 17.0% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, no single market dominated Lithuania's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms. The top three sources—Poland (17.5% of import value), Germany (17.2%), and Ukraine (13.2%)—collectively accounted for just 47.9% of total import value, with numerous smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021