Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Southern Europe opened at 81.9 K t in 2018. Over the next two years, volume contracted, falling to 66.5 K t by 2020. During this early phase, the industry saw rising demand for low-calorie and sugar-free innovative products, along with the introduction of natural ingredients and sustainable packaging solutions.

A turnaround began in 2021, with market volume jumping 27.8% to 85.0 K t. This surge was fueled by the launch of products featuring vegan, gluten-free, and functional formulations, coupled with a stronger focus on recyclable packaging and ethical sourcing. In 2022, volume stabilized near 84.9 K t as new sugar taxation and labeling rules in several European countries forced product reformulations, while the sugar-free segment continued to grow.

The market expanded dramatically in 2023, soaring 43.8% to 122.1 K t. This leap was supported by the introduction of over 150 new SKUs of functional and low-sugar chocolate in Europe, alongside the rise of premium and vegan segments. Moving into 2024, innovation persisted with items like oat-milk premium bars and cocoa-free chocolate, alongside ongoing regulatory pressure to reduce sugar and increased investment in sustainable packaging by major players.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Southern Europe

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

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production volume grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the region produced 192.7 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 11.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 195.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery production value increased for two years before leveling off. In 2020, output was valued at 675.6 M $ US, showing minimal change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 9.3%, averaging 3.0% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 679.4 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 8.8%.

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

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export volume expanded for two years before contracting. In 2020, exports totaled 246.5 K t, a 6.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.7%, with an average annual growth of 1.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 263.7 K t, which also experienced the largest annual rise of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports in kind were distributed across multiple markets rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 18.2% of exports, France for 11.6%, and Germany for 10.2%, together making up 39.9% of total flows, with the remainder spread among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export value rose for two years before falling. In 2020, exports were valued at 864.6 M $ US, a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 917.3 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, France, and Germany were the top buyers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Southern Europe in value terms, but they did not dominate the market. The United States represented 13.5% of exports, France 11.4%, and Germany 11.2%, together accounting for 36.1% of total export value, with many smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery import volume grew for two years before declining. In 2020, imports stood at 146.9 K t, a sharp drop of 18.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 146.9 K t, while the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in kind were spread across various sources. Germany accounted for 19.9% of imports, Belgium for 10.7%, and France for 8.1%, together comprising 38.8% of total flows, with the remaining 61.2% coming from a diverse range of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 479.7 M $ US, a solid decrease of 11.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 549.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Southern Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Germany represented 20.6% of imports, Belgium 9.2%, and France 8.2%, together capturing only 38.1% of total flows, with the rest sourced from numerous other partners.

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

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