Chocolate Covered Countries
U.S. Sales of Premium Dark & Gourmet Chocolate Gifts Soar
Germany, Belgium & Switzerland consume the most chocolate per capita while Russia, China & India are potentially huge markets for chocolatiers.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) estimates that global chocolate sales were US$74 billion in 2006. In inflation-adjusted terms, that dollar amount represents more than a 20% increase over 5 years.
Global chocolate sales are about 27% for chocolate-covered snack bars, 23% for solid moulded bars or tablets, and 20% for boxed chocolates often sold as gifts. In addition, 14% of global chocolate sales are for bagged or boxed products like M&Ms, 11% for seasonal theme items like chocolate Easter eggs, 3% for chocolate with toys, and 2% for regional chocolate specialties.
Western Europe consumes the largest share of chocolate products (45%) compared to the U.S. where 20% of global chocolate sales are made.
Chocolate Consumption Per Person By Country
The following list shows countries with the highest chocolate consumption per person in 2005.
- Germany … 11.12 kilograms of chocolate per person (up 7.8% from 2002)
- Belgium … 11.03 kgs (up 24.2%)
- Switzerland … 10.74 kgs (down 1.7%)
- United Kingdom … 10.22 kgs (up 2%)
- Austria … 9.43 kgs (up 18.3%)
- Norway … 8.53 kgs (up 3.1%)
- Denmark … 7.74 kgs (down 16.3%)
- France … 6.78 kgs (down 2.6%)
- Finland … 6.77 kgs (up 3.7%)
- Sweden … 6.76 kgs (down 17.1%)
- United States … 5.58 kgs (up 4.1%)
- Australia … 5.31 kgs (up 22.1%)
- Italy … 4.26 kgs (up 8.1%)
- Canada … 3.90 kgs (no change)
- Poland … 3.67 kgs (up 11.2%).
Chocolate Covered Countries
Not obvious from the numbers is the fact that although the United States had a modest 4.1% increase in the volume of chocolate consumed per capita since 2002, the value of gourmet chocolate products that Americans bought increased by 28% over that same period. Increasingly, consumers order premium chocolates made with the finest cocoa beans from around the world via websites that sell gourmet chocolate gifts. Examples of gourmet chocolate gifts include personalized dark chocolate bars and chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered cherries, chocolate covered nuts and chocolate covered pretzels. Overall, the U.S. is the world’s largest chocolate market.
Germany is the second-largest chocolate products market in Europe. Boxed chocolates and moulded chocolate sales account for some 55% of the German market’s total value. Belgian chocolates are typically hand-made and enjoy a sterling reputation for high-quality ingredients. Chocolates from Switzerland also have an excellent reputation, with over 50% of Swiss chocolate products exported to about 130 countries around the world.
Premium gourmet chocolate represents over 40% of the chocolate consumed in the United Kingdom, Europe’s largest chocolate market. France is Europe’s third-largest chocolate market, where boxed chocolates generate the most revenues. Boxed chocolates are also market leaders in Italy where home brand Ferrero accounts for about 50% of the Italian chocolate market.
Future International Gourmet Chocolate Markets
Russian chocolate is often characterized as dark and bitter-sweet. While current Russian consumption of chocolate is only 2 kilograms per person, Russia represents an untapped market with strong potential for online gourmet chocolate product sales.
Countries with fast-growing middle-classes and large populations like China and India are also regarded as potentially huge international trade markets for gourmet chocolate manufacturers.
Sources for this Article
This article presents independent calculations and insights based on data from the International Cocoa Organization (icco.org) & the article 'Gourmet Chocolate: Beyond Just Valentine's Day (Lisa Leff, International Business Times, February 14, 2007).
