Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Slovenia experienced significant growth from 2018 to 2023, rising from 3 483 t to 7 137 t. After a modest decline to 3 323 t in 2019, the market expanded steadily, with particularly strong increases of over 30% in 2021 and continued double-digit growth through 2023.

This expansion was primarily driven by rising imports, which grew from 4 846 t in 2018 to 6 983 t in 2023. Domestic production, in contrast, fell from 3 542 t to 2 593 t over the same period, while exports declined sharply from 4 904 t to 2 439 t. The net effect was a growing reliance on imported products to meet domestic consumption.

Market developments in 2024 included the launch of new sugar-free chocolate ranges by major companies such as Asher’s Chocolate, the entry of health-focused digitally native brands using direct-to-consumer strategies, and a shift in consumer preferences toward sugar-free and natural sweetener-based confectionery. European regulatory efforts to reduce added sugars and improve labeling transparency also influenced product innovation and market dynamics.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Slovenia

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

Slovenia's production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 K t, marking a 14.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 3.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Slovenia's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery dropped in 2020. The country exported 4 092 t that year, representing a significant decline of 18.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 5 046 t, while the largest increase of 13.1% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the top destination for Slovenia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in volume terms, accounting for 37.0% of the total. Croatia followed with 17.5%, and Italy with 10.4%. Together, these three countries made up 64.9% of Slovenia's export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of Slovenia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports declined in 2020. The country exported 13 880 K $ US worth of these products, which was 12.5% lower than in 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 span, export value actually increased by 10.4%, averaging a 3.3% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 859 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year increase of 18.7% occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the key markets for Slovenia's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 30.7% of the total, Croatia for 18.9%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 9.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.2% of Slovenia's export value flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in volume terms declined in 2020 after two years of increases. The country imported 5 152 t that year, showing a slight decrease of 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 5 205 t, which also saw the largest increase of 7.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading supplier of cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Slovenia in volume terms, making up 30.7% of imports. Czechia contributed 11.7%, and Austria 10.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.5% of Slovenia's total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 24 554 K $ US. This figure showed minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 12.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery in value terms were relatively dispersed among partner countries. Germany was the largest source at 29.6%, followed by Poland at 11.2%, and Austria at 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 48.9% of the total import value flows.

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

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