Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Russia displayed considerable fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. A key pressure came from rising ruble‑denominated prices for essential raw materials like sugar and cocoa beans, which dampened overall consumption. In response, many producers shifted toward more affordable recipes, reducing cocoa content and expanding offerings with fruit fillings and chocolate glaze. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated consumer interest in healthier, reduced‑sugar snacks, creating growth within that niche even as total market volume contracted.

Supply‑chain disruptions and sharply higher costs for imported ingredients in 2022 led to a decrease in overall market volume. Nevertheless, cocoa‑free segments such as marshmallows, jellies, and pastilles grew by 10–15%, buoyed by new product lines like sugar‑free halva and candy collections. The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with production of sugar confectionery rising 8.3% as the industry adapted through recipe reformulation and witnessed major asset transactions, including the sale of the Konti‑Rus factory. By 2024, sustained demand for reduced‑sugar items and tighter regulations on natural ingredients supported a market volume of around 800 thousand tons, though production eased in 2025.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia held the second position globally in the production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, Russia's production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery rebounded. In 2021, Russia produced 736.8 thousand tonnes of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, marking an 11.8% increase compared to 2020. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 659.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual decline occurring in 2019 at 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, Russia exported 101.9 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 11.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 32.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Azerbaijan consistently led Russia's export structure in volume terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 24.5% of exports, Belarus for 18.0%, and Azerbaijan for 9.9%, together making up 52.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports have expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 209.4 million US dollars, a 17.3% increase from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

The value-based export structure from 2018 to 2021 shows a diverse range of partners. Kazakhstan contributed 23.2% of export value, Belarus 19.7%, and Azerbaijan 7.0%, collectively accounting for 50.0% of total flows. The remaining 50.0% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Russia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery amounted to 79.4 thousand tonnes, a substantial 15.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 68.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 9.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Germany, and China were the top suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Russia in volume terms, though none dominated the market. Kazakhstan accounted for 21.3% of imports, Germany for 10.5%, and China for 10.1%, together representing 41.9% of total imports, with the rest coming from a variety of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Russia imported 217.7 million US dollars worth of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in 2021, up 24.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 174.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 9.0%.

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

During 2018-2021, imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Russia in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany accounted for 15.4% of import value, Kazakhstan for 10.1%, and China for 9.9%, together making up 35.5% of total flows.

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

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