Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Northern Africa expanded from 137 thousand tons in 2018 to 173 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was anchored by the earlier approval of stevia as a natural sugar alternative, which spurred demand for sugar-free products, and a heightened consumer focus on healthier diets due to obesity concerns. Major international confectionery players, including Mars and Mondelēz, reinforced the trend by emphasizing nutritious snack bars and healthy convenience items, catering to active populations.

Producers intensified their offerings of sugar-free, organic, and functional confectionery, responding to shifting preferences. In 2022, the launch of a new liquid stevia product line by Sweegen provided manufacturers with improved tools for sugar reduction, while innovations in sustainable packaging and the rise of plant-based options further stimulated market development.

Market volume contracted to 162 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, product premiumization continued, with a rise in vegan, vitamin-enriched, and reduced-sugar varieties. Regional institutions also bolstered efforts to support exports into North Africa, and significant trade flows, such as shipments from Murcia to Morocco, underscored the growing commercial exchange driven by health awareness regarding diabetes and obesity.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Northern Africa

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

Northern Africa's production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 147.5 thousand tons, showing a modest increase of 1.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Northern Africa saw a decline. In 2020, output was valued at 532.4 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 9.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 19.9%, with an annualized rate of 6.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 586.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.2%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern Africa exported 21 400 tons of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, down by 18.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 34.3%, averaging an annual decline of 13.1%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 22.6%, while 2019 saw a small increase of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Northern Africa was quite diversified. Yemen accounted for 12.4% of exports, Jordan for 5.6%, and Mauritania for 5.4%, with these three countries together making up just 23.4% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Northern Africa reached 77.2 million US dollars, representing a significant drop of 26.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 27.7%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms remained scattered. Yemen contributed 15.3% of export value, Jordan 5.9%, and Saudi Arabia 5.6%, with these three partners together accounting for only 26.8% of total flows. No single partner stood out as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery into Northern Africa declined. In 2020, imports reached 25 987 tons, down by 10.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 067 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 19.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Northern Africa came from many different markets. Even the largest sources—Turkey, China, and Spain—together represented only 37.8% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into Northern Africa was recorded at 84.8 million US dollars, which is 10.0% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 5.3%, with an average annual rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 72.8 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 94.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 29.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery into Northern Africa in value terms were spread across many countries. Turkey accounted for 20.5% of import value, Spain for 7.5%, and France for 5.6%, with these three countries jointly making up only 33.6% of total flows.

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

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