Which Country Imports the Most Sugar Confectionery in the World?

Cocoa, Chocolate And Confectionery May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Food Products / Cocoa, Chocolate And Confectionery

Author: Sergey Avramenko

PositionHead of Global Markets Research Team

In 2016, approx. 3M tonnes of confectionery were imported worldwide; reducing by -2.6% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, an increase of 7% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, global confectionery imports reached its maximum volume of 3.1M tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, confectionery imports amounted to $9.6B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global confectionery import peaked of $10B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Confectionery Importing Countries in the World

1. USA (1,829.3 million USD)

2. Germany (698.2 million USD)

3. United Kingdom (567.0 million USD)

4. France (428.4 million USD)

5. Canada (401.5 million USD)

6. Netherlands (368.5 million USD)

7. Belgium (298.0 million USD)

8. Sweden (214.7 million USD)

9. Australia (182.0 million USD)

10. Poland (171.2 million USD)

11. Russia (139.6 million USD)

12. Philippines (70.3 million USD)

Confectionery Imports By Country

In 2016, the U.S. (493K tonnes), distantly followed by the UK (188K tonnes), and Germany (165K tonnes) represented the largest importers of confectionery, together comprising 28% of total imports. Canada (130K tonnes), the Netherlands (123K tonnes), France (116K tonnes), Belgium (90K tonnes), Sweden (70K tonnes), the Philippines (58K tonnes), Russia (58K tonnes), Australia (58K tonnes), and Poland (53K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

Imports into the U.S. decreased at an average annual rate of -1.4% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, the Philippines (+14.8%), Poland (+5.9%), Belgium (+4.9%), Australia (+3.8%), Canada (+3.4%), the Netherlands (+3.4%), France (+3.2%), Sweden (+2.4%), Germany (+2.2%), and the UK (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2007-2016. By contrast, Russia (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the U.S. (2%) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the U.S. ($1.8B) constitutes the largest market for imported confectionery worldwide, making up 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($698M), with the share of 7% of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with the share of 6%.

From 2007 to 2016, the average annual growth rate of value of confectionery imports in the U.S. stood at +4.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+2.8% per year) and the UK (+0.5% per year).

Confectionery Import Prices By Country

The average confectionery import price stood at $3,225 per tonne in 2016, ascending by 4% against the previous year. Over the last nine years it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%.The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008, when import price increased by 8% y-o-y. Over the period under review, average confectionery import price reached its maximum level of $3,289 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was Germany ($4,222 per tonne), while the Philippines ($1,206 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of confectionery import prices was attained by the U.S. (+5.6% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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