Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African cocoa-free sugar confectionery market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, declining to 206 thousand tons in 2019 under pressure from a challenging economic climate and rising input costs for sugar and cocoa. However, increasing consumer awareness of health and wellness spurred demand for sugar-free and reduced-sugar options, helping the market recover to 232 thousand tons in 2020.

Regulatory developments, including draft labelling rules requiring front-of-pack warnings for high-sugar products and restrictions on marketing to children, prompted manufacturers to innovate, supporting market growth to 243 thousand tons in 2021. Significant local investment, such as Richester Foods' R20 million chocolate factory launching the 'Coco Bongo' brand, expanded production capacity in 2022, though rising raw material prices and import competition temporarily reduced market volume to 227 thousand tons. By 2023, the market stabilized at 230 thousand tons, driven by continuous demand for healthier confectionery and the expansion of premium and novelty products through e-commerce.

In 2024 and 2025, manufacturers responded to cost pressures through strategies like shrinkflation, while consumer preferences for ethical, low-sugar, and sustainably sourced products strengthened. New product launches in sugar-free and cocoa-free alternatives, along with support for small and medium enterprises, further shaped the market's evolution.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

South Africa ranked 6th globally in cocoa-free sugar confectionery production from 2018 to 2021.

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

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

South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 221.7 K t, up 1.4% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 3%, averaging 1.0% annually. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 199.4 K t, which marked the largest decline of 7.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 9.7% rise.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 600.3 M $ US, showing an 8.6% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 5.4%, averaging 1.8% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 424.7 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 25.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 30.2% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 28 697 t of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, a strong 16.0% increase from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 34 918 t, which also saw the largest increase of 23.9%. In 2020, exports dropped to 24 729 t, the lowest in the period, marking the largest decline of 29.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in volume were Botswana (27.6% of exports), Namibia (21.5%), and Zimbabwe (11.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export value increased in 2021, reaching 77 708 K $ US, up 24.3% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 4.2%, averaging 1.4% annually. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 62 500 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the principal destinations for South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in value terms were Namibia (24.6% of exports), Botswana (20.2%), and Zimbabwe (10.8%). Collectively, these three countries represented 55.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa imported 49 793 t of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, reflecting a 31.1% year-over-year rise. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 36.1%, averaging 10.8% annually. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 7.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, the key sources for South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in volume were Eswatini (33.3% of imports), Turkey (23.6%), and China (7.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 64.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery reached 67 481 K $ US, showing a steep 27.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 10.3%, averaging 3.3% annually. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 53 094 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 18.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the key sources for South Africa's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms were Eswatini (41.4% of imports), China (8.3%), and Thailand (6.5%). Together, these three countries represented 56.3% of total import flows.

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

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