Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in SADC declined from 371.0 thousand tons in 2018 to 359.2 thousand tons in 2019, then stabilized at 358.0 thousand tons in 2020. During 2020, manufacturers faced challenges from rising sugar and cocoa prices, while growing health awareness among consumers supported a shift toward healthier and more sustainable product options.

Market volume increased to 365.1 thousand tons in 2021 before contracting to 344.1 thousand tons in 2022. A significant expansion followed in 2023, with the market reaching 374.7 thousand tons. This growth was driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and environmentally friendly confectionery, with premium brands launching low-sugar, dairy-free, and responsibly sourced products to cater to these preferences.

In 2024, the industry contended with significant inflation and unprecedented surges in cocoa prices due to climate-related crop failures and global supply chain disruptions. These cost pressures led manufacturers to reformulate products and focus on sugar-free and plant-based alternatives, aligning with continued consumer trends toward mindful indulgence, sustainability, and health.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in SADC

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

After a two-year decline, SADC's production volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery increased. In 2020, the region produced 306.4 K t, marking a moderate rise of 4.6% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 292.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in SADC was valued at 13 315 M $ US, representing a strong increase of 11.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 982 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 26.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.8%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Cross-border shipments of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from SADC reached their lowest point in 2019 at 6.2 K t, then surged to a maximum of 14.0 K t in 2020, showing a sharp rise of 127.7% from the previous year. This represents a 2.3-fold variation between these years. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 50.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for SADC's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind were Australia, the United States, and Special Categories, which together accounted for 2.1% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

SADC's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 113.0 M $ US, reflecting a strong decrease of 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 140.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. The United States accounted for 2.0% of exports, Australia for 1.3%, and Special Categories for 0.8%, together making up just 4.1% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 65.6 K t, indicating a measured decline of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 51.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, China, and India played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to SADC in kind. Kenya accounted for 10.8% of imports, China for 10.3%, and India for 8.4%, with their combined share reaching 29.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports into SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 151.9 M $ US, representing a solid decrease of 14.7% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to SADC were not concentrated on a few key destinations. China accounted for 7.9% of imports, Kenya for 6.5%, and India for 5.0%, jointly making up only 19.4% of total flows.

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

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