Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in MENA saw its volume gradually increase from 456.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 487.3 thousand tons in 2020, while its market value declined from $2.8 billion to $2.3 billion over the same period. In 2021, both volume and value contracted, with market size falling to 453.5 thousand tons and $2.2 billion.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022 as market volume rebounded to 527.6 thousand tons and value surged to $2.8 billion. This growth was driven by the launch of new seasonal products like HARIBO's Easter candy range, which broadened assortment, and the emergence of CBD-infused hard candies that tapped into wellness trends. In 2023, the market volume further rose to 535.6 thousand tons and value climbed to $3.3 billion, supported by rising consumer demand for healthier and specialized confectionery, the rapid growth of online distribution channels offering greater convenience, and elevated seasonal consumption during Ramadan.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in MENA

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

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in the MENA region increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 409.1 K t, marking a solid 24.2% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 317.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 901 M $ US, down by 6.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 11.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 311 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from the MENA region increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 141.9 K t, showing a gradual rise of 6.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 90.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 17.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 46.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind from the MENA region were distributed across many countries. Afghanistan accounted for 15.4% of exports, Pakistan for 4.9%, and Sudan for 1.9%, with these three countries together representing only 22.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 504 M $ US, remaining flat compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 556 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.1%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms from the MENA region were allocated across a large number of markets. Afghanistan accounted for 10.8% of exports, Pakistan for 3.6%, and the United States for 3.3%, with these three countries together representing only 17.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into the MENA region stood at 220.0 K t, down by 20.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 277.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for cocoa-free sugar confectionery to the MENA region was broad. Turkey accounted for 16.6% of imports in kind, China for 6.5%, and Poland for 3.7%, with these three countries together contributing only 26.8% of total imports, while many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year improvement, imported cocoa-free sugar confectionery volumes in the MENA region declined. In 2020, imports stood at 947 M $ US, down by 6.9% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 017 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to the MENA region were widely dispersed across partner countries. Turkey accounted for 14.8% of imports, Russia for 7.5%, and China for 6.1%, with these three countries together representing only 28.3% of total flows.

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

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