How Much Chocolate is Consumed Per Year?

Chocolate is a product widely consumed by all generations worldwide. Chocolate is rich in fat, proteins, carbohydrates, and other bioactive compounds. Cocoa beans are the main ingredients used for the production of chocolate. Chocolate consumption has been scientifically linked to a longer life.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, eating a few pieces of chocolate every month makes your life sweeter and longer. Moreover, chocolate is considered a major source of dietary copper, which is important for a healthy lifestyle and is also consumed as a short-term source of energy due to the antioxidants and phenolics, and 40 grams of chocolate contains the same amount of phenol as a glass of red wine contains and is a positive source of dietary antioxidants.

The global chocolate market is growing at a robust growth rate of around 8.2%, as per the research done by RationalStat. Further, the global consumption of chocolate was 8.13 million tons in 2022, and per capita, chocolate consumption is estimated at 1 kg per year.

Top Chocolate Consuming Countries (kg/yr) – Per Capita

1. Chocolate consumption in America

The US is the second-largest consumer of chocolate in the world, after Switzerland. The average American eats about 19.8 pounds of chocolate per year or about 3 bars of chocolate per week. Milk chocolate is the most popular type of chocolate in the United States, followed by dark chocolate and white chocolate.

As per RationalStat analysis, the US chocolate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2028.

Americans also enjoy a variety of chocolate-flavored products, such as ice cream, cookies, and cakes. Chocolate consumption in the United States is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This is due to several factors, including the increasing popularity of dark chocolate, the growing Hispanic population, and the rising demand for premium chocolates.

Explore latest insights on the Global Confectionery Market

2. Chocolate consumption in India

India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and this is leading to an increase in disposable income among consumers. This has led to an increase in demand for premium and luxury products, such as chocolate. Indian consumers are increasingly looking for healthier and more convenient food options. This has led to an increase in demand for dark chocolate, which is perceived to be healthier than milk chocolate.

As per RationalStat analysis, the India chocolate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2028.

3. Chocolate consumption in Europe

Europe is the world's largest chocolate market, with an estimated per capita consumption of 5.0 kilograms per year. This is significantly higher than the world average of 0.9 kilograms per year.

The top three chocolate-consuming countries in Europe are:

• Switzerland: 11 kilograms per capita per year
• Germany: 9.1 kilograms per capita per year
• Estonia: 8.3 kilograms per capita per year

Chocolate is simply delicious. It is a rich, creamy, and flavorful treat that is enjoyed by people of all ages which increases the popularity of chocolates in European countries.

As per RationalStat analysis, the Europe chocolate market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2023 to 2028.

4. Chocolate consumption in the Middle East

Chocolate consumption in the Middle East is growing rapidly. In 2022, the Middle East chocolate market was worth US$13.8 billion and is projected to reach US$14.07 billion by 2028. This growth is being driven by rising awareness of the health benefits of chocolate and urbanization is leading to a more Westernized lifestyle in the Middle East, which includes an increased consumption of chocolate.

The UAE is the largest chocolate market in the Middle East, followed by Saudi Arabia and Israel. The UAE is a major hub for international chocolate brands and is home to a large expatriate population, which contributes to the high demand for chocolate. Saudi Arabia is also a major market for chocolate, due to its large population and growing economy. Israel is a smaller market, but it is growing rapidly due to increasing disposable incomes and rising awareness of the health benefits of chocolate.

Chocolate consumption and production

Ivory Coast and Ghana in Western Africa are the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. However, Europe is the largest producer and exporter of chocolate globally. A whopping 85% of European chocolate consumed annually comes from West Africa. There have recently been initiatives to start a fair-trade movement, which would promote buying cocoa from growers in underdeveloped nations at a fair price.  All countries are not able to enjoy the sweet taste of chocolate equally, there is a deep separation between those nations that extract the raw material and those that indulge in the finished products.

The Countries with the highest chocolate consumption are in Europe

The top four countries responsible for the production of chocolate are the US, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. Western Europe accounts for around 35% of total world chocolate production, the US accounts for around 30%, and the rest 35% of chocolate production comes from the rest of the world. Germany is leading the global chocolate market with a remarkable yearly per capita consumption of around 9.5 kg in 2022.

Toblerone and Lindt are two of the most renowned brands in the country's chocolate industry. With around 5.5 kg per person, neighboring Switzerland is also very high on the list, while the average annual chocolate consumption in the US is over 9 kilograms, and, India and China are at the other end of the spectrum, with per-capita consumption of just 1.0 and 0.2 kg, respectively.

The European chocolate market is valued at US$ 47 billion in 2023. The largest chocolate production sector in Europe is located in Germany. Moreover, Germany is the world's leading exporter of chocolate since a considerable portion of the country's chocolate production is exported. Other European nations, particularly France, Poland, and the UK, are the primary destination markets for German chocolate products. German exports of chocolate are estimated to reach a value of US$ 5.7 billion in 2022 and 16% of global exports.

Top Players in the Chocolate Market

• Nestle SA (Kitkat, Milkybar)
• Barry Callebaut (American Almond, Bensdrop)
• The Hershey Company
• Lindt & Sprungli AG (Ghirardelli)
• The Australian Carob Co
• Ferrero Group
• Mars Wrigley Confectionery (Snickers)
• Meiji Co Ltd
• Mondelēz International (5 Star, Cadbury)
• Pladis
• Ezaki Glico Co Ltd
• Orion Corp

To know more about the current market scenario, review our report on Global Chocolate Market or request a sample.