Not filled chocolate bars market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

After maintaining a stable volume around 21 000 tonnes in 2018–2019, the Romanian market for not filled chocolate bars contracted sharply to 15 739 tonnes in 2020. Recovery began in 2021 when a local manufacturer launched chocolate with 'jumari' (cracklings), creating a novel segment that sparked curiosity and helped lift consumption to 18 150 tonnes.

By 2023, market volume returned to 20 579 tonnes while value jumped to 130.7 million US dollars, signaling substantial price increases. This trend accelerated in 2024, with the market reaching 159.5 million US dollars on a volume of 20 962 tonnes. The price surge was driven by cocoa bean costs doubling due to crop diseases and weather disruptions, alongside a VAT hike on sugary products from 9% to 19%. Concurrently, the opening of Bucharest’s first Bean to Bar shop and growing consumer interest in premium chocolate highlighted the expansion of the high‑quality segment.

Production not filled chocolate bars in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of not filled chocolate bars declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 44 088 thousand US dollars, representing a 12.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 50 530 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 1.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production of not filled chocolate bars declined in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 5 972 tonnes were produced, down 14.3% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports not filled chocolate bars from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, Romania's exports of not filled chocolate bars declined in volume. In 2020, exports reached 1 842 tonnes, a 32.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2 729 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 52.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, and Poland were notable buyers of not filled chocolate bars from Romania, accounting for 11.2%, 10.8%, and 9.8% of exports in volume, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 31.8% of total exports, indicating no single dominant market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Romania's exports of not filled chocolate bars declined in value. In 2020, exports totaled 14 709 thousand US dollars, down 25.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 726 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 46.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Romania's not filled chocolate bars in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 18.3% of exports, Poland for 9.0%, and Slovakia for 6.1%, together taking 33.4% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports not filled chocolate bars to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of not filled chocolate bars declined in volume. In 2020, imports totaled 11 610 tonnes, a sharp contraction of 30.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 16 740 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria were the leading suppliers of not filled chocolate bars to Romania in volume terms. Germany accounted for 40.6% of imports, Poland for 20.6%, and Bulgaria for 19.6%, jointly representing 80.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's imports of not filled chocolate bars declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 49 996 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong drop of 20.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 63 422 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria were the main markets for Romania's imports of not filled chocolate bars in value terms. Germany accounted for 50.8% of imports, Poland for 14.6%, and Bulgaria for 13.8%, together representing 79.2% of total flows.

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

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