Market research

Cocoa-free sugar confectionery market in Western Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Western Europe" region includes following countries:

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Western Europe experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After starting at 1.4 billion US dollars in 2018, it dipped to 1.2 billion in 2019, recovered to 1.4 billion in 2020, and rose to 1.7 billion in 2021. A slight contraction followed in 2022, bringing the market to 1.6 billion, before a strong surge to 2.2 billion in 2023.

The substantial growth in 2023 was driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier confectionery options, including premium, organic, and vegan sugar-free products. Major players like Haribo, Nestlé, Mondelez, and Ferrero expanded their sugar-free and organic ranges, while innovative product launches and the growth of e‑commerce improved product accessibility. Regulatory measures, such as sugar taxes on beverages in several European countries, indirectly encouraged a shift toward sugar-free alternatives.

Health and wellness trends, particularly concerns about obesity and diabetes, continued to shape consumer preferences, supporting the expansion of the sugar-free segment. Investments in production capacity and sustainable packaging by leading companies further strengthened market development. Despite a temporary decline in 2022, the overall trajectory from 2018 to 2023 reflects a clear movement toward healthier, sugar-free confectionery in Western Europe.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Western Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cocoa-free sugar confectionery in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Western Europe's production of cocoa-free sugar confectionery rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 337.5 thousand tons, representing a 4.0% drop from the previous year. By 2020, production had increased to 362.4 thousand tons, marking a modest 7.4% recovery compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.1%)	(4.0%)	7.4%	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery production in Western Europe showed a positive trend in 2020. After reaching a low of 2,130 million US dollars in 2019, which was a 6.5% decrease from 2018, output rose to 2,325 million US dollars in 2020, representing a 9.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.0%	(6.5%)	9.1%	1.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cocoa-free sugar confectionery from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's exports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery experienced significant contraction in 2020. After a modest 2.4% increase in 2019, export volumes dropped sharply to 505.5 thousand tons in 2020, representing a substantial 22.3% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 36.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 14.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.1%)	2.4%	(22.3%)	(14.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports were distributed across numerous markets rather than concentrated in a few key destinations. The United Kingdom accounted for 11.8% of export volumes, the United States for 8.3%, and Poland for 3.8%. Together, these three markets represented just 23.9% of total export flows, with the remaining 76.1% spread across many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of cocoa-free sugar confectionery exports from Western Europe declined in 2020 after two years of growth. Exports reached their peak in 2019 at 3,099 million US dollars, following a 4.2% increase in 2018. In 2020, export value fell to 3,034 million US dollars, representing a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.2%	0.7%	(2.1%)	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery export structure in value terms showed balanced distribution rather than concentration. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.9% of export value, the United States for 8.8%, and Poland for 3.8%. Together, these three markets represented 22.5% of total export flows, while the remaining 77.5% was distributed across numerous other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cocoa-free sugar confectionery to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's imports of cocoa-free sugar confectionery showed mixed trends between 2017 and 2020. Imports peaked in 2018 at 494.6 thousand tons, then dropped sharply to 332.4 thousand tons in 2019, representing a significant 32.8% decline. In 2020, imports recovered to 359.4 thousand tons, marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.5%, with an average annual decline of 9.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	(32.8%)	8.1%	(9.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports were distributed across a wide range of suppliers. Spain accounted for 9.6% of import volumes, Poland for 5.0%, and the United Kingdom for 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 19.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 80.8% coming from numerous other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 2,216 million US dollars, following a 3.0% increase that year. After dropping 2.3% in 2019, imports fell further to 2,133 million US dollars in 2020, representing a modest 1.5% decrease from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	(2.3%)	(1.5%)	(0.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Data from 2017 to 2020 shows that Western Europe's cocoa-free sugar confectionery imports in value terms were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. Spain accounted for 8.7% of import value, Poland for 5.1%, and the United Kingdom for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 18.8% of total import flows, with the remaining 81.2% distributed across many other sources.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io