Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in the Philippines stood at 45.4 thousand t. The introduction of a sugar tax that year prompted manufacturers to reformulate products, reducing sugar content and using alternative ingredients, which affected the sugar confectionery segment. The market volume slightly decreased to 44.7 thousand t in 2019 and fell significantly to 33.4 thousand t in 2020. During 2020, the emergence of sugar-free products like Baba Bake's Sinless Chocolate Cookie, using plant-based sweeteners, reflected growing consumer interest in healthier options.

Market volume began to recover in 2021, rising to 34.7 thousand t. A sharp increase followed in 2022, reaching 52.6 thousand t, driven by product innovations including sugar-free and vegan items in response to market demand and health trends. In 2023, the market expanded further to 59.1 thousand t, fueled by positive economic shifts and a consumer shift towards healthier, organic, and gourmet products. Major players like San Miguel Foods and Universal Robina Corp. reinforced market dynamics, while expanded distribution through modern supermarkets and online shopping improved accessibility.

By 2024, trends towards sugar-free and functional confectionery enriched with vitamins and probiotics persisted. High global cocoa prices due to supply constraints and climate impacts affected production costs, while the introduction of sustainable certifications and the emergence of new segments such as plant-based chocolates mirrored global trends and local consumer interest.

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, 2017-2020

The Philippines saw its cocoa-free sugar confectionery production volume increase for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production remained virtually unchanged from 2019, totaling 333.3 t. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 23.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in the Philippines increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 104 K $ US, reflecting a controlled increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 57.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign cocoa-free sugar confectionery supplies from the Philippines totaled 9 318 t, marking a decrease of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 36.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 33.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the Philippines were not concentrated on a few key markets. Vietnam accounted for 28.7% of exports in kind, Thailand for 10.6%, and Malaysia for 8.3%, with these three countries together representing only 47.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Philippines exported 30.9 M $ US of cocoa-free sugar confectionery, reflecting a significant drop of 24.5% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 28.9 M $ US, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 40.9 M $ US. The largest increase was in 2019 at 41.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of cocoa-free sugar confectionery from the Philippines were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Vietnam accounted for 26.5% of exports in value terms, Thailand for 12.0%, and Malaysia for 10.1%, with these three countries together representing only 48.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, the Philippines' volume of cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 42 381 t, constituting a sharp decline of 25.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 57 084 t, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China led the structure of imports in kind with 50.9%, followed by Indonesia at 20.8% and Vietnam at 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 84.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The Philippines' cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 71.4 M $ US, representing a 27.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 110.4 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 32.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—China, Indonesia, and Vietnam—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 75.8% of total flows.

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

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