Ukraine breaks into top 3 EU chocolate exporters in ’23

Ukraine made its mark in the European Union (EU) by becoming one of the top three chocolate exporters in 2023, delivering a total of 22,000 tonnes, accounting for 13 per cent of the EU’s chocolate imports, Interfax reported on Monday.

Switzerland and the United Kingdom were the only countries that outperformed Ukraine, exporting 62,000 tonnes (36 per cent) and 61,000 tonnes (36 per cent) of chocolate to the EU, respectively.

Meanwhile, EU members exported a whopping 867,000 tonnes of chocolate and chocolate bars to countries outside the EU.

Germany led the pack, contributing 26 per cent of all supplies with 221,000 tonnes of products. The Netherlands followed with 123,000 tonnes (14 per cent), then Poland with 115,000 tonnes (13 per cent), and Belgium, famous for its confectionery, with 96,000 tonnes (11 per cent).

The top five non-EU recipients of these exports were the UK (315,000 tonnes or 36 per cent), the United States (72,000 tonnes or 8 per cent), Russia (65,000 tonnes or 7 per cent), Canada (31,000 tonnes or 4 per cent), and Australia (27,000 tonnes or 3 per cent).