Sweetened cocoa powder market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish sweetened cocoa powder market reached a volume peak of 11 574 t in 2021 before declining to 10 057 t by 2024. Over the same period, the market value demonstrated strong growth, rising from $1.8 million in 2020 to $5.2 million in 2024, signaling a shift toward higher-value products within the category.

Starting in 2022, the mandatory implementation of EU Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and socially responsible cultivation for cocoa imposed new sustainability requirements on Swedish supply chains. This regulatory shift increased production standards and costs, contributing to the steady rise in market value. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for sustainable and organic options expanded the offering of such products, further supporting value growth despite the overall volume contraction.

In 2024, the market continued to adapt to evolving regulations, including clarifications from the Swedish Food Agency (LIVSFS 2018:5 and LIVSFS 2024:9) on labeling rules for cocoa products. The entry and expansion of Swedish brands focusing on organic, reduced-fat, and traceable cocoa powder catered to these new consumer priorities, reinforcing the trend toward premiumization.

Production sweetened cocoa powder in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports sweetened cocoa powder from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of sweetened cocoa powder have been declining for three straight years. In 2019, the export volume stood at a certain level, but by 2020 it had dropped to 1 758 tonnes, marking a modest 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 46.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland and Denmark were the dominant players in Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder exports by volume, together accounting for 85.7% of the total. The remaining share was spread out among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder exports were valued at 5 494 thousand US dollars, showing a slight 0.8% drop compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 149 thousand US dollars. That same year saw the largest decline of 34.7%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Finland emerged as the primary market for Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder in value terms, making up 72.3% of total exports. Other destinations contributed to a smaller portion of the export revenue.

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

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

Imports sweetened cocoa powder to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of sweetened cocoa powder have also been on a downward trend for three consecutive years. In 2019, imports were at a higher level, but by 2020 they had fallen to 578 tonnes, reflecting a significant 15.8% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume dropped by 67.2%, averaging an annual decline of 31.0%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Germany and Hungary consistently dominated Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder imports by volume, together holding 90.2% of the total. This high concentration was complemented by a diverse array of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder imports have declined for two years in a row. In 2020, the import value reached 2 769 thousand US dollars, down 10.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 45.8%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 18.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 474 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 43.4% decrease, while 2018 saw the biggest rise of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Hungary were the top two markets for Sweden's sweetened cocoa powder imports in value terms, together accounting for 87.1% of the total. The remainder was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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