In 2022, the world sold over $33.1 billion worth of chocolate¹. Since 2018, chocolate exports have gone up by 13% on average¹. The top 5 countries for chocolate exports in 2022 were Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands¹. Together, they made up almost half (47.7%) of all chocolate sold worldwide¹.

Chocolate exports by country 2022

Key Takeaways

• The global chocolate export market is valued at over $33 billion annually.
• The top 5 chocolate exporting countries account for nearly half of all global chocolate exports.
• Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands are the world’s biggest chocolate exporters.
• Chocolate exports have grown by an average of 13% since 2018.
• The chocolate exporting industry is highly concentrated, with the top players dominating the market.

Overview of Global Chocolate Exports

The global chocolate industry has seen ups and downs in recent years. In 2023, chocolate exports stayed the same as the year before, reaching $33.3 billion². But, the chocolate market itself has grown, valued at $X in 2023 and increasing by X% from the year before².

Chocolate Demand and Export Value Trends

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Over the last ten years, the chocolate market has grown steadily, with a yearly increase of X% in value². Chocolate production also rose, hitting $X in 2023 with an annual growth rate of X%². Global chocolate exports have seen similar growth, increasing by an average of X% from 2012 to 2023 and reaching $X in 2023².

Major Exporting Continents and Countries

Europe leads in chocolate exports, making up 73.5% of global sales in 2022³. North America and Asia follow, with shares of 13.2% and 9.3% respectively³. Countries like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands are among the top exporters, making up about X% of global exports in 2023².

Africa is where 70% of the world’s cocoa beans are grown, but it only makes 1% of the chocolate³. Ghana, the second-biggest cocoa exporter, aims to increase its share of chocolate profits by making chocolate at home³.

“Developing countries like Ghana heavily rely on natural resources such as cocoa for economic growth. Fairafric’s vision is to keep profits in Ghana and create stable, well-paying jobs by manufacturing chocolate locally.”

The global chocolate industry is changing, and the trends in chocolate exports and major players will likely shift in the future³²⁴.

Top Chocolate Exporting Countries

The global chocolate industry is booming, with top countries leading the way. These countries are crucial in meeting the world’s growing chocolate cravings. The top 15 countries that exported the most chocolate in 2022 were:

1. Germany ($5.4 billion)⁵
2. Belgium ($3.3 billion)⁵
3. Italy ($2.4 billion)⁵
4. Poland ($2.4 billion)⁵
5. Netherlands ($2.2 billion)⁵
6. Canada ($2 billion)⁵
7. United States ($1.7 billion)⁵
8. France ($1.4 billion)⁵
9. United Kingdom ($1 billion)⁵
10. Switzerland ($882.2 million)⁵
11. Türkiye ($841.8 million)⁵
12. Mexico ($663.7 million)⁵
13. Spain ($649 million)⁵
14. Singapore ($559.9 million)⁵
15. Russia ($559.7 million)⁵

Together, these 15 countries sent 78.9% of all chocolate exports in 2022⁵. The cocoa beans market was worth USD 16 billion in 2023 and is set to grow by almost 7% annually to over USD 22 billion by 2028⁶. The European chocolate market was valued at €42 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a rate of about 4.8% from 2022 to 2027⁶.

“The top chocolate exporting countries are driving the global chocolate industry forward, meeting the ever-increasing demand for this beloved treat.”

Key Players: Biggest Chocolate Exporters in the World

A few countries stand out in the chocolate export market. Germany, Belgium, and Italy lead the way, making up a big part of the world’s chocolate trade⁷.

Germany: Leading Chocolate Exporter

Germany is the top chocolate exporter globally. In 2022, it sent out $5.4 billion worth of chocolate, making up 16.4% of the world’s total⁷. Its strong confectionery industry and high demand from other countries keep it at the top.

Belgium and Italy: Major European Exporters

Belgium and Italy are also big players in chocolate exports. Belgium sent out $3.3 billion worth of chocolate in 2022, which is 10% of the world’s total⁷. Italy exported $2.4 billion worth, adding 7.4% to the global chocolate market⁷. Both countries are known for their high-quality chocolate that people all over the world love.

Germany, Belgium, and Italy are the big names in chocolate exports. Together, they made up over a third of the world’s chocolate exports in 2022⁷.

“The consistent performance of Germany, Belgium, and Italy as major chocolate exporters underscores the strength and expertise of the European confectionery industry in meeting the global demand for premium chocolate.”

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Emerging Exporters and Fastest Growers

Big names in chocolate exports are still leading the market, but new players are stepping up. Türkiye, Mexico, Canada, and Spain are growing fast, becoming top chocolate exporters from 2021 to 2022⁸.

Türkiye’s chocolate exports jumped by 22.3% in that time, showing its growing role in the chocolate world⁸. Mexico and Canada also saw big increases, with exports up by 14% and 11.4%, respectively⁸. Spain joined the fast-growing list with a 9.9% rise in chocolate exports⁸.

These new players are making a big impact worldwide. They’re quickly boosting their exports, showing they could soon be major names in chocolate⁸.

“The rise of these emerging exporters is a testament to the dynamic nature of the global chocolate industry. As consumer preferences and supply chains continue to evolve, new players are seizing the opportunity to carve out their own niche in the market.”

Countries with Highest Trade Surpluses

In 2022, Germany led with a chocolate trade surplus of $2.9 billion⁹. Belgium followed closely with $2.3 billion⁹. Italy, Poland, Canada, Türkiye, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, and Singapore also showed significant surpluses¹⁰⁹. These countries have a strong edge in the chocolate market.

Poland exported 115,000 tonnes of chocolate in 2023, making up 13% of the EU’s total⁹. The EU sent 867,000 tonnes of chocolate to other countries, a 2% jump from the year before⁹. Germany led EU exports with 221,000 tonnes, followed by the Netherlands and Poland⁹.

The UK, US, Russia, Canada, and Australia were the biggest buyers of EU chocolate⁹. This shows how European countries, especially Germany, Belgium, and Italy, are key players in the global chocolate trade.

“The crisis in the cocoa sector puts cocoa producers in a stronger negotiating position to address structural issues in the supply chain.”

Countries Facing Largest Deficits

The global chocolate industry is seeing big trade imbalances. Many big markets are importing more chocolate than they export¹¹. In 2022, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea had the biggest deficits¹¹.

These countries need a lot of chocolate. This means big chances for chocolate-exporting countries to grow their sales¹¹.

High demand for chocolate in these countries is the main reason for the trade deficits¹². West African countries like the Ivory Coast and Ghana produce most of the world’s cocoa¹². But, they face issues like diseases, extreme weather, and policies that don’t help farmers much¹².

This limits the supply of cocoa beans for these big importers¹².

Exporters need new strategies to meet the demand in these markets¹². They might look for new suppliers or focus on sustainable farming¹². This could help ensure a steady supply of quality cocoa beans¹².

Biggest Chocolate Exporting Companies

The global chocolate market was worth $119.39 billion in 2022. It’s expected to grow at a 4.1% annual rate from 2024 to 2030¹³. Companies like Arcor from Argentina and August Storck KG from Germany lead in chocolate production¹³.

Global Confectionery Giants

These chocolate exporting companies and global chocolate conglomerates dominate the market, selling 99.97% of all chocolate exported in 2022¹³. Mars Wrigley India launched GALAXY FUSIONS Dark Chocolate with 70% cocoa content¹³. Mondelez International also made a $1 billion investment in sustainability by 2030¹³.

The Hershey Company introduced new KIT KAT flavors in January 2022¹³. General Mills, Inc. and Crown Confectionery also made significant contributions, with revenues of $18.993 million and $311.33 million respectively in 2022¹³. Arcor Group, an Argentinian global chocolate conglomerate, had a revenue of $625 million in 2022¹³.

“More than 2 million children in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire work in hazardous conditions growing cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate.”¹⁴

The chocolate industry faces big challenges like child labor and deforestation¹⁴. Yet, many chocolate exporting companies aim to use 100% certified cocoa¹⁴.

Opportunities and Challenges

The global chocolate export market is full of both chances and hurdles for countries and companies. On the bright side, chocolate exports are growing, thanks to more people wanting chocolate¹⁵. But, the industry faces challenges like changing prices, supply chain issues, and new tastes from consumers.

Asia Pacific and Latin America are great places for chocolate growth¹⁵. As people in these areas earn more, they want better and new chocolate products. Countries like China, India, Brazil, and Mexico are leading this trend¹⁵. Companies can really benefit by entering these markets and creating new products.

But, the chocolate industry has big problems too¹⁶. Many cocoa farmers are poor, and cocoa is their main source of income¹⁶. In West Africa, small farmers work small plots and produce little cocoa¹⁶. Also, the use of child labor in cocoa farms is a big ethical issue.

To fix these issues, the industry needs to focus on sustainable and ethical practices¹⁶. Supporting farmers better and using new technology in farming is key¹⁶. Deforestation and climate change also affect the chocolate trade, making a long-term solution urgent¹⁶.

As more people want chocolate, the market’s challenges and chances will decide the success of top chocolate exporters¹⁶¹⁵.

“The global chocolate industry is at a crossroads, with both immense opportunities and significant challenges that will shape its future.”

Biggest Chocolate Exporters in the World

A few countries lead the global chocolate trade. In 2022, the top 15 countries for chocolate exports were Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Türkiye, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and Russia¹⁷. These countries made up 78.9% of all chocolate exports, showing their big role in the market¹⁷.

Germany was the top exporter in 2020, sending out $4.96 billion worth of chocolate. This was 17% of the world’s chocolate exports¹⁷. Belgium followed with $3.1 billion, and Italy with $2.1 billion, each making a big impact¹⁷. Poland also played a big part, exporting over $2 billion in chocolate that year¹⁷.

Switzerland loves chocolate the most, making it since the 17th century¹⁷. The Ivory Coast is a big producer, with 8 million people relying on cocoa¹⁷. In 2018, a truck in Poland spilled 12 tons of chocolate, causing a big mess¹⁷. Germans eat about 17 pounds of chocolate each, ranking third in the world¹⁷.

Switzerland is also a big fan of chocolate, eating an average of 11.3 kilograms per person in 2021¹⁸. They exported over 118,000 tonnes of chocolate in 2021, worth €722 million¹⁸. Switzerland imports a lot of cocoa beans, with Ghana being the main supplier¹⁸. Swiss chocolate sales went up by 7.7% in 2021, after a drop in 2020¹⁸.

Switzerland has 16 chocolate companies, including big names like Barry Callebaut and Nestlé¹⁸. Most of their chocolate goes to countries like Germany and France¹⁸. They aim to source 80% of cocoa sustainably by 2025, showing a focus on quality and fairness¹⁸.

Conclusion

Germany, Belgium, and Italy lead the global chocolate export market, making up nearly half of all chocolate exports¹⁹. They use their quality and expertise to stay on top. But, countries like Türkiye, Mexico, and Canada are quickly catching up with fast growth¹⁹.

Knowing who the big players are and what makes them stand out is key for businesses and policymakers¹⁹. Countries like Cote d’Ivoire are ahead in cocoa production and export, which helps their chocolate exports²⁰.

Import markets like the Netherlands, Malaysia, Germany, Belgium, and the United States are also important in the chocolate trade²¹. As the chocolate industry changes, keeping up with global trends is vital. This helps stakeholders grab new chances and tackle future challenges.

Source Links

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