Note: This report includes forecasting data that is based on baseline historical data.
Market snapshot
In 2020, the United States represented the largest global import market for cocoa and cocoa preparations at a share of 42.3% and a total value of Can$7.0 billion over France at Can$4.7 billion (28.8%), Belgium at Can$3.9 billion (23.9%) and Switzerland at Can$831.4 million (5.1%). Canada was America's largest supplier by a 29.8% value share, where the other three markets imported less than 0.05% of cocoa ingredients or cocoa products that were produced in Canada.
Top supplier partners to all four markets included Côte d'Ivoire (16.0%), Canada (12.6%), and the Netherlands (12.5%) in 2020. Chocolate and other cocoa preparations, cocoa beans (whole/broken, raw/roasted), and cocoa butter, fat and oil were the most in demand for imported cocoa ingredients/products from the world.
During the period of January 2016 and April 27th, 2021, Mintel indicated that the US launched 12,768 (43.3%) new food products that contain cocoa ingredients, followed by France at 10,712 (38.0%), Switzerland at 2,743 (9.8%), and Belgium at 1,946 (6.9%) cocoa products. Top cocoa ingredients found within a total of 28,169 products included cocoa butter (20,721), cocoa fat (20,717), cocoa liquor or mass (15,157), cocoa powder (6,974) or fat reduced cocoa powder (4,981), and cocoa paste (4,705). Other related cocoa ingredients analyzed in this report that were found in these products and launched within the US, France, Switzerland and Belgium included alkaline cocoa (3,940), cocoa beans (1,020), cocoa nibs (230), cocoa preparations (17), cocoa shell powder (1), chocolate/milk chocolate (6,266/4,687), dark chocolate (4,898), chocolate chips (3,241), white chocolate (2,255), and semi-sweet chocolate (689).
Trade of cocoa and cocoa preparations
In 2020, global imports for cocoa and cocoa preparations (including cocoa beans, cocoa husks/shells/skins/ and other waste, cocoa paste/butter - fat and oil, unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate and other preparations) totaled Can$66.3 billion (12,861.6 thousand tonnes). The largest markets where these cocoa products were imported from were Côte d'Ivoire (13.5%), Germany (11.5%), and the Netherlands (9.4%). Canada was the 11th largest supplier of cocoa and cocoa preparations to the world at a share of 3.5% in 2020.
Selected markets: The United States imported from the world a total value of Can$7.0 billion (1,393.2 thousand tonnes) in cocoa and cocoa preparations, representing a 42.3% share over the other selected markets in 2020. France imported 28.8% of cocoa products at a value of Can$4.7 billion (871.5 thousand tonnes), followed by Belgium (23.9%) at Can$3.9 billion (776.8 thousand tonnes), and Switzerland (5.1%) at Can$831.4 million (125.6 thousand tonnes). Due to the fact that the US imported 29.8% of cocoa products from Canada (its largest cocoa partner) in 2020, the top import markets amongst the four markets included Côte d'Ivoire (16.0%), Canada (12.6%), and the Netherlands (12.5%).
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value | Top import markets and value share % | Canada's value market share % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Total - world | 12,861,627 | 66,310.4 | Côte d'Ivoire: 13.5 | Germany: 11.5 | Netherlands: 9.4 | 3.5 | |
| 1 | United States | 1,393,178 | 6,967.5 | Canada: 29.8 | Côte d'Ivoire: 15.5 | Mexico: 10.8 | 29.8 |
| 2 | France | 871,494 | 4,737.2 | Côte d'Ivoire: 18.2 | Germany: 16.4 | Belgium: 15.4 | 0.02 |
| 3 | Belgium | 776,783 | 3,935.1 | Netherlands: 28.5 | Côte d'Ivoire: 17.5 | Germany: 16.2 | 0.01 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 125,629 | 831.4 | Netherlands: 27.3 | Germany: 23.5 | Ghana: 12.3 | 0.02 |
| Subtotal - selected markets | 3,167,085 | 16,471.2 | Côte d'Ivoire: 16.0 | Canada: 12.6 | Netherlands: 12.5 | 12.6 | |
| Source: Global Trade Tracker, 2021 | |||||||
Amongst the four selected markets, chocolate and other cocoa preparations, cocoa beans (whole/broken, raw/roasted), and cocoa butter, fat and oil were the most in demand for cocoa products from the world. Between 2018 and 2020, cocoa paste registered the highest growth both in the US and France at compund annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 38.5% and 6.6%, respectively. Cocoa beans had the highest growth in Belgium with a CAGR of 17.9%, while cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste registered the highest growth of 18.1% in Switzerland (registered a decline in the US, France and Belgium) during the 3-year period.
Other declining sub-types of cocoa products between 2018 and 2020, included cocoa butter, fat and oil (−1.8%) in the US, along with cocoa butter, fat and oil (−2.1%) and cocoa paste (−0.9%) in Switzerland. Since 2018, total demand for all cocoa products registered the highest import growth in Belgium at a CAGR of 9.8%, followed by the US (5.3%), France (2.8%), and Switzerland (2.6%).
| Country | Import description | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | CAGR* (%) 2018-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1806 - Chocolate and other cocoa preparations | 3,564.0 | 3,921.5 | 3,866.9 | 4.2 |
| 1801 - Cocoa beans, whole/broken, raw/roasted | 1,273.4 | 1,237.7 | 1,382.8 | 4.2 | |
| 1804 - Cocoa butter, fat and oil | 802.9 | 893.5 | 775.1 | −1.8 | |
| 1803 - Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted | 299.8 | 377.4 | 574.8 | 38.5 | |
| 1805 - Cocoa powder, unsweetened | 346.1 | 373.1 | 367.6 | 3.1 | |
| 1802 - Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste | 0.408 | 0.265 | 0.239 | −23.4 | |
| Total - cocoa and cocoa preparations in the United States | 6,286.6 | 3,803.5 | 6,967.5 | 5.3 | |
| France | 1806 - Chocolate and other cocoa preparations | 2,890.4 | 2,877.1 | 2,962.3 | 1.2 |
| 1801 - Cocoa beans, whole/broken, raw/roasted | 543.3 | 550.6 | 611.6 | 6.1 | |
| 1804 - Cocoa butter, fat and oil | 522.4 | 493.9 | 584.0 | 5.7 | |
| 1803 - Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted | 380.1 | 375.2 | 432.3 | 6.6 | |
| 1805 - Cocoa powder, unsweetened | 142.4 | 147.7 | 143.5 | 0.4 | |
| 1802 - Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | −5.7 | |
| Total - cocoa and cocoa preparations in France | 4,482.6 | 4,447.9 | 4,737.2 | 2.8 | |
| Belgium | 1806 - Chocolate and other cocoa preparations | 1,240.2 | 1,310.0 | 1,398.1 | 6.2 |
| 1801 - Cocoa beans, whole/broken, raw/roasted | 766.6 | 954.8 | 1,066.3 | 17.9 | |
| 1804 - Cocoa butter, fat and oil | 785.1 | 878.6 | 929.2 | 8.8 | |
| 1803 - Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted | 385.3 | 400.1 | 435.4 | 6.3 | |
| 1805 - Cocoa powder, unsweetened | 86.7 | 95.2 | 103.8 | 9.4 | |
| 1802 - Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2,2 | −1.7 | |
| Total - cocoa and cocoa preparations in Belgium | 3,266.1 | 3,641.1 | 3,935.1 | 9.8 | |
| Switzerland | 1806 - Chocolate and other cocoa preparations | 335.3 | 341.1 | 361.1 | 3.9 |
| 1804 - Cocoa butter, fat and oil | 219.3 | 228.9 | 210.4 | −2.1 | |
| 1801 - Cocoa beans, whole/broken, raw/roasted | 163.8 | 176.5 | 187.4 | 7.0 | |
| 1803 - Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted | 53.1 | 56.1 | 52.1 | −0.9 | |
| 1805 - Cocoa powder, unsweetened | 18.4 | 18.2 | 19.5 | 2.9 | |
| 1802 - Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste | 0.102 | 0.148 | 0.142 | 18.1 | |
| Total - cocoa and cocoa preparations in Switzerland | 790.0 | 820.9 | 831.4 | 2.6 | |
| Source: Global Trade Tracker, 2021 | |||||
Product launch and trend analysis in selected markets
Mintel indicates that there were 28,158 food products containing cocoa, launched (including new variety/range extension, packaging, formulation or relaunched) in the United States (45.3%), France (38.0%), Switzerland (9.8%), and Belgium (6.9%) between the period of January 2016 and April 28th, 2021.
Total new cocoa-ingredient product counts launched throughout all four markets over the 5.4-year period were as follows: Cocoa butter (20,721), cocoa fat (20,717), cocoa liquor (mass) (15,157), cocoa powder (6,974) or fat reduced cocoa powder (4,981), cocoa paste (4,705), alkaline cocoa (3,940), cocoa beans (1,020), cocoa nibs (230), cocoa preparations (17), cocoa shell powder (1), chocolate/milk chocolate (6,266/4,687), dark chocolate (4,898), chocolate chips (3,241), white chocolate (2,255), and semi-sweet chocolate (689).
Description of above image
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 (January-April) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2,873 | 2,616 | 2,075 | 2,549 | 1,963 | 692 | 12,768 |
| France | 2,320 | 1,916 | 1,942 | 2,124 | 1,727 | 683 | 10,712 |
| Switzerland | 567 | 577 | 549 | 453 | 458 | 139 | 2,743 |
| Belgium | 327 | 396 | 430 | 348 | 325 | 120 | 1,946 |
Source: Mintel, 2021
United States
Out of a total of 12,768 new food products launched in the US between January 2016 and April 28th 2021, these products contained cocoa ingredient types as followed: Cocoa fat (8,374), cocoa liquor (4,052), cocoa powder (3,682), alkaline cocoa (3,939), cocoa butter (8,366), cocoa paste (63), cocoa beans (295), cocoa nibs (111), cocoa preparations (3), cocoa shell powder (1), chocolate/milk chocolate (3,904/2,331), dark chocolate (2,922), chocolate chips (1,933), white chocolate (809), and semi-sweet chocolate (675).
According to Mintel, top parent companies launching cocoa food products in the US over the 5.4-year period were Aldi Group (784), Hershey (563), Mars Inc. (551), Nestlé (405), and Gruppo Ferrero (391). Top brands included M&M's (194), Trader Joe's (171), Hershey's (Kisses) (166), Russell Stover (121), and Great Value (120). New brands launched in the American market include Signature Select Simply Churned (Rocky Road reduced fat ice cream), Catalina Crunch (chocolate banana Keto friendly cereal), Brioche Pasquier (French macarons), and Siete (Mexican chocolate grain free cookies).
The fastest growing flavours in American cocoa products were raisin (+600%), crisped/puffed rice (+300%), cake/pie/tart (+300%), pink/Himalayan salt (+300%), candy cane (+200%), and cereal (+200%) [Q2-2021/Q2-2019]. New ingredients included insulin, barley protein, barley milk, jasmine tea extract, chipotle puree, cheddar chipotle sauce, potassium nitrate, coconut aminos, tangerine oil, and rosemary oleoresin. Top growing claims were sugar free (+600%), ethical - biodegradable (+200%), no added sugar (+175%), and economy (+160%), while declining claims (−100%) included added calcium, diabetic, antioxidant, prebiotic, and low/no/reduced saturated fat.
In the United States, chocolate confectionery was the largest food category with 4,491 new product launches containing cocoa (35.2%) over the 5.4-year period. Whereby, the bakery category launched 3,403 new cocoa products (26.7%), followed by snacks at 2,143 (16.8%). Top growing categories included sugar and gum confectionery (+233.3%), chocolate confectionery (+83.9%), and sweet spreads (+53.9%); while declining categories included meals and meal centers (−100%), dairy (−22.2%), and snacks (−12.4%) between Q2-2020 and Q2-2021.
| Category | Top 50 brands launched (product item count) | Number of products in category |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate confectionery | M&M's (184), Hershey's (141), Russell Stover (117), Ghirardelli/Chocolate Squares (100), Trader Joe's (80), Lindt Lindor (58), Godiva (57), Choceur (57), Reese's (56), Palmer (56), Dove Promises (54), Sugarfina (44), Harry and David/Moose Munch (41), Lake Champlain Chocolates (38), Chocolove (38), Seattle Chocolate (33), World Market (32), Lindt (29), Milka (27), Wondershop at Target (25), Williams Sonoma (23), Lily's (20), Signature Select (19), Nice! (17), 7-Select (14), Specially Selected (13), Kirkland Signature (11), Meijer (10), Hy-Vee (10), Simple Truth Organic (8), Lidl (6), Great Value (4), Archer Farms (4), Kroger (3), Market Pantry (2), Private Selection (2), Stop and Shop (2), Nestlé Toll House (1). | 4,491 |
| Bakery | Nabisco Oreo (87), McKee Little Debbie (57), Great Value (56), Trader Joe's (53), Nestlé Toll House (41), Williams Sonoma (37), Kroger (34), Benton's (31), Signature Select (30), Ghirardelli (30), Pepperidge Farm Milano (29), Specially Selected (24), Market Pantry (21), Private Selection (21), 7-Select (19), Wondershop at Target (13), Simple Truth Organic (12), Godiva (10), Hy-Vee (10), Lidl (10), Lily's (10), Archer Farms (9), Stop and Shop (8), Harry and David (7), Hershey's (6), Kirkland Signature (6), World Market (4), Nice! (4), M&M's (3), Reese's (3), Meijer (3), Russell Stover (2), Milka (2), Choceur (1) | 3,403 |
| Snacks | Harry and David/Moose Munch (28), Great Value (24), Archer Farms (24), Meijer (23), Trader Joe's (14), 7-Select (12), Kroger (11), Wondership at Target (10), Hy-Vee (10), Stop and Shop (10), Kirkland Signature (10), Market Pantry (9), Nice! (8), Simple Truth Organic (4), Hershey's (3), Signature Select (3), Specially Selected (3), Private Selection (3), Lidl (3), M&M's (2), Dove (2), Benton's (1) | 2,143 |
| Desserts and ice cream | H-E-B Select Ingredients Creamy Creations (37), Häagen-Dazs (29), Signature Select (27), Market Pantry (21), Great Value (20), Trader Joe's (16), Kroger (12), Stop and Shop (11), Specially Selected (10), Hershey's (10), Lidl (10), Nestlé Toll House (7), Williams Sonoma (6), Archer Farms (6), M&M's (5), Dove (5), Private Selection (5), Godiva (4), 7-Select (4), Hy-Vee (4), Simple Truth Organic (2), Ghirardelli (1), Reese's (1) | 1,549 |
| Dairy | Chobani Flip (37), Great Value (4), Trader Joe's (3), Hershey's (3), 7-Select (2), Kirkland Signature (2), Meijer (1), Hy-Vee (1), Private Selection (1), Lidl (1) | 349 |
| Breakfast cereals | Great Value (6), Trader Joe's (4), Kroger (4), Signature Select (2), Archer Farms (1), Meijer (1), Hy-Vee (1), Private Selection (1), Lidl (1) | 342 |
| Sweet spreads | Signature Select (6), Williams Sonoma (4), Great Value (3), Simple Truth (3), Hershey's (2), Kroger (2), Meijer (2), Market Pantry (1), Lidl (1), Kirkland Signature (1) | 200 |
| Sugar and gum confectionery | Sugarfina (6), Wondershop at Target (3), Williams Sonoma (3), Russell Stover (1), Hershey's (1) | 184 |
| Sauces and seasonings | Williams Sonoma (3), Great Value (1), Signature Select (1), Private Selection (1), Lidl (1) | 37 |
| Meals and meal centers | 7-Select (2), Trader Joe's (1), Great Value (1), Signature Select (1) | 35 |
| Total sample size | 12,768 | |
| Source: Mintel, 2021 | ||
France
Out of a total of 10,712 new food products launched in France between January 2016 and April 28th 2021, related ingredients found in these cocoa products were as followed: Cocoa fat (8,593), cocoa liquor (7,568), cocoa powder (2,305) or fat reduced cocoa powder (2,997), cocoa butter (8,624), cocoa paste (3,685), cocoa beans (650), cocoa nibs (75), cocoa preparations (6), alkaline cocoa (1), chocolate/milk chocolate (1,731/1,700), dark chocolate (1,630), white chocolate (561), chocolate powder (469), chocolate chips (1,083), white chocolate (991), and semi-sweet chocolate (2).
Top parent companies launching cocoa food products in France over the 5.4-year period were Savencia/Fromage and Dairy (1,318), followed by Mondelez/International (1,101), Aldi Group (748), De Neuville (607), and Carrefour - CMI (450). Top brands included De Neuville/1,2,3…Chassez/Pâques Sort de sa Coquille/Joyeuses Pâques/Mordu d'Automne/Clouez Leur le Bec (206), Carrefour/Selection (117), Milka (96), Jeff de Bruges (84), and U (78). New brands in France include La Sauce Monin (dark chocolate flavoured sauce), Krokola (milk chocolate tablet with 41% cocoa), L'Artisan Popol (hazelnut and milk spread), and Villars Collection Degustation (swiss milk chocolate with candied orange).
In France, the fastest growing flavours within cocoa products were plain/bourbon/Madagascar vanilla (+650%), coffee (+450%), passion fruit/Maracuja (+400%), salted caramel (+350%), candied/glacé (+300%), and lemon flavor (+266.7%) between Q2-2019 and Q2-2021. New ingredients included sumac, coumarin, red algae extract, mealworm, green lentil flour, mango powder, sea-buckthorn, natural green colours, and cocoa pulp. Top growing claims were dairy free (+1000%), low/no/reduced sodium (+300%), ethical - animal (+254.5%), and plant based (+220%); while declining claims included premium (−55.6%), vegetarian (−53.6%), and functional - cardiovascular (−33.3%).
In France, the largest category with 4,607 new cocoa food product launches was chocolate confectionery (43.0%) over the 5.4-year period. Whereby, the bakery category launched 3,314 new cocoa products (30.9%), followed by desserts and ice cream with 1,001 (9.3%). Top growing categories included dairy (+100%), baby food (+100%), and sweet spreads (+35.9%); while declining categories included sugar and gum confectionery (−57.1%), desserts and ice cream (−23.1%), chocolate confectionery (−15.1%), and bakery products (−5.4%) between Q2-2020 and Q2-2021.
| Category | Top 50 brands launched (product item count) | Number of products in category |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate confectionery | De Neuville/1,2,3…Chassez!/Pâques Sort de Sa Coquille/Clouez Leur le Bec (123), Lindt (102), Jeff de Bruges (78), Milka (76), Alain Ducasse (68), Pierre Hermé/Marcolini (58), Réauté Chocolat (57), De Neuville Joyeuses Pâques/Mordu d'Automne (49), L'Éclair de Génie (46), Côte d'Or (35), M&S (34), L'Atelier du Chocolat (34), Leonidas (31), M&M's (30), Carrefour Selection/Bio (30), Villars (28), Le Chocolat des Français (27), Hema (25), La Grande Épicerie de Paris (24), Chapon (24), U (23), Valrhona (21), Le Comptoir de Mathilde (20), Bonneterre (18), Cora (16), Netto (12), Carrefour (9), Marque Repère Bio Village (8), Leader Price (7), Produits Blancs (7), Auchan (7), Casino Bio (6), Nestlé Dessert (5), Franprix (4) | 4,607 |
| Bakery | Carrefour (34), Lu Granola (34), St Michel (33), U (32), Bonne Maman (30), Michel et Augustin (26), De Neuville/1,2,3…Chassez!/Pâques Sort de Sa Coquille/Clouez Leur le Bec (25), Leader Price (25), Nestlé Dessert (25), Netto (24), Carrefour Selection/Bio (21), La Grande Épicerie de Paris (18), Cora (18), Valrhona (18), M&S (16), Marque Repère Bio Village (16), Franprix (16), Auchan (16), Bjorg (15), Casino Bio (14), Bonneterre (13), Réauté Chocolat (12), Milka (12), Produits Blancs (11), Thiriet (9), L'Éclair de Génie (7), De Neuville Mordu d'Automne (7), Côte d'Or (6), Marie Morin (6), L'Atelier du Chocolat (3), Le Chocolat de Français (3), Hema (3), Alain Ducasse (2), M&M's (2), Pierre Marcolini (2), Le Comptoir de Mathilde (2), Ferrero Nutella (2), Villars (1), Chapon (1) | 3,314 |
| Desserts and ice cream | Thiriet (22), Marie Morin (22), refour/Bio (20), Bonne Maman (10), Carrefour Selection (9), Michel et Augustin (9), Produits Blancs (7), Leader Price (6), U (5), Cora (5), Milka (4), M&M's (4), L'Éclair de Génie (4), Franprix (5), Marque Repère Bio Village (2), Bjorg (2), M&S (1), La Grande Épicerie de Paris (1), Bonneterre (1), Auchan (1) | 1,001 |
| Breakfast cereals | Carrefour/Bio (10), U (8), Leader Price (6), Netto (6), Marque Repère Bio Village (5), Bjorg (5), Franprix (4), Casino Bio (4), Produits Blancs (3), M&S (1), Cora (1), Auchan (1) | 535 |
| Sweet spreads | Ferrero Nutella (27), Le Comptoir de Mathilde (9), Jeff de Bruges (6), Lindt (6), La Grande Épicerie de Paris (6), U (5), L'Éclair de Génie (5), Milka (4), Carrefour/Bio (4), Alain Ducasse (2), Netto (2), Côte d'Or (2), Pierre Hermé/Marcolini (2), Casino Bio (2), Chapon (2), De Neuville (1), Leader Price (1), Cora (1), M&M's (1), L'Atelier du Chocolat (1), Marque Repère Bio Village (1), Leonidas (1), Auchan (1) | 466 |
| Snacks | Leader Price (6), Netto (6), Carrefour/Bio (6), M&S (5), Thieret (4), U (3), Produits Blancs (3), Marque Repère Bio Village (1), Casino Bio (1) | 459 |
| Dairy | Bjorg (5), Carrefour/Bio (3), Leader Price (2), Auchan (2), M&S (1), Netto (1), M&M's (1), Marque Repère Bio Village (1), Casino Bio (1) | 132 |
| Sugar and gum confectionery | Pierre Hermé (3), U (2), M&S (1), De Neuville (1), Lindt (1), Netto (1) | 112 |
| Baby food; meals and meal centers | Brands not in top 100 | 55 |
| Total sample size | 10,712 | |
| Source: Mintel, 2021 | ||
Switzerland
Out of a total of 2,743 new food products launched in Switzerland between January 2016 and April 27th 2021, these products contained cocoa ingredient types as followed: Cocoa fat (2,140), cocoa liquor (2,010), cocoa powder (643) or fat reduced cocoa powder (1,077), cocoa butter (2,117), cocoa paste (336), cocoa beans (45), cocoa nibs (14), cocoa preparations (8), chocolate/milk chocolate (347/381), white chocolate (214), dark chocolate (175), chocolate chips (115), and semi-sweet chocolate (12).
Top parent companies launching new cocoa food products in Switzerland over the 5.4-year period were Aldi Group/Süd (540) products, Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund (486), Gruppo Ferrero (485), Lidl (316), and Nestlé (210). Top brands found within the top 50 brands included Lindt LindConnaisseurs (109), Coop/Prix Garantie/Qualité and Prix/ Karma (75), Frey (Freylini)/Crunchy Clouds (74), Migros/Sélection (54), and Ferrero Nutella/Rocher/Mon Chéri/Küsschen (50). New brands introduced into France included Michel Cluizel (milk salted butter caramel chocolate tablet), Farm Brothers (organic brownie almond cookies), Antica Offelleria di Milano (chocolate Colomba cake), and Original Spanisch (cocoa sponge cakes).
In Switzerland, the fastest growing flavours within cocoa products were plain/bourbon/Madagascar vanilla (+500%), cocoa/cacao (+80%), nut filling Praline (+50%), milk chocolate (+33.3%), unflavoured/plain (+31.8%), and chocolate (+17.9%) between Q2-2019 and Q2-2021. New ingredients included sodium hydrogen sulfite, natural Madagascar vanilla flavor, amylases, rock salt, mineral water, carrot powder, iodine free salts, and pearl sugar. Top growing claims were ethical - recycling (+100%), gluten free (+75%), economy (+57.1%), and children between 5-12yrs (+40%); while declining claims by −100% included high/added fibre, functional - other, microwaveable, all natural product, and cobranded.
The largest category for new cocoa food product launches in Switzerland was chocolate confectionery at 1,164 products (42.4%) over the 5.4-year period. The bakery category followed with 724 new cocoa products (26.4%), and the desserts and ice cream category with 428 new products (15.6%). Top growing categories included desserts and ice cream (+87.5%), breakfast cereals (+33.3%), dairy (+33.3%), and the bakery category (+27.6%); while declining categories included sweet spreads (−80%), snacks (−60%), and chocolate confectionery (−5.7%) between Q2-2020 and Q2-2021.
| Category | Top 50 brands launched (product item count) | Number of products in category |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate confectionery | Lindt Lindor/Connaisseurs (106), Frey/Freylini/Crunchy Clouds (73), Kinder Überraschung/Schoko-Bons/Riegel/Schokolade (48) Cailler (33), Ferrero Rocher/Mon Chéri/ Küsschen (33), Coop/ Prix Garantie/CoopQualité and Prix/Coop Karma (25), Choceur (21), M&M's (19), Milka (17), Favorina (15), Munz (14), Nestlé Smarties (11), Maltesers (11), Villars (11), Deluxe (9), Delicatessa Globus (8), Alnatura (8), Gourmet (7), Migros (Sélection) (5), Denner (5), M Classic (4), Storck Knoppers (4), Ovomaltine (3), Italiamo (2), Bofrost (1) | 1,164 |
| Bakery | Migros/Sélection (32), Coop Prix Garantie/CoopQualité and Prix/Coop Karma (23), Barilla Mulino Bianco (20), Oreo (18), McEnnedy American Way (17), Gottlieber (17), Finest Bakery (15), Dr. Oetker (13), Wernli (12), Deluxe (10), Bofrost (8), Denner (7), Storck Knoppers (6), Gourmet (5), Favorina (4), M Classic (4), Milka (3), Milbona (3), M&M's (2), Italiamo (2), Nestlé Smarties (2), Frey (1), Ferrero Nutello (1), Ovomaltine (1) | 724 |
| Desserts and ice cream | Bofrost (22), Deluxe (21), Migros/Sélection (14), Gelatelli (14), Coop Qualité and Prix/Coop Prix Garantie/Coop Karma (13), Italiamo (10), Milbona (6), Oreo (5), McEnnedy American Way (3), Cailler (2), Denner (2), Milka (1), Gourmet (1), Dr. Oetker (1), Ovomaltine (1), Nestlé Smarties (1), M Classic (1), Alnatura (1) | 428 |
| Breakfast cereals | Crownfield (10), Coop Karma/Coop Prix Garantie (5), Ovomaltine (2), Migros Sélection (1), Alnatura (1) | 106 |
| Dairy | Coop Prix Garantie/Coop Karma/Coop Qualité and Prix (7), McEnnedy American Way (5), Cailler (2), Ovomaltine (2), Milbona (1), Migros (1), Oreo (1), Italiamo (1), Denner (1), M Classic (1) | 101 |
| Snacks | Crownfield (4), Ovomaltine (3), Migros Sélection (1), Coop Prix Garantie (1), Milka (1), Finest Bakery (1), M Classic (1) | 95 |
| Sweet spreads | Ferrero Nutella (16), Lindt (3), Ovomaltine (2), Deluxe (1), Coop Prix Garantie (1), M&M's (1), Italiamo (1), Denner (1), Gourmet (1), Maltesers (1), Delicatessa Globus (1) | 66 |
| Sugar and gum confectionery | Storck Toffifee (22), McEnnedy American Way (1), Delicatessa Globus (1) | 44 |
| Baby food; processed fish, meat and egg products | Brands not in top 100 | 9 |
| Total sample size | 2,743 | |
| Source: Mintel, 2021 | ||
Belgium
Out of a total of 1,946 new food products launched in Belgium between January 2016 and April 28th 2021, related ingredients found in these cocoa products were as followed: Cocoa fat (1,610), cocoa liquor (1,527), cocoa powder (344) or fat reduced cocoa powder (656), cocoa butter (1,614), cocoa paste (621), cocoa beans (30), cocoa nibs (30), chocolate/milk chocolate (284/275), white chocolate (241), dark chocolate (171), and chocolate chips (110).
Top parent companies launching cocoa products in Belgium from January 2016 to April 28, 2021 were Mondelez International (373), Ahold Delhaize Group (231), Gruppo Ferrero (157), Carrefour (121), and Albert Heijn (107). Top brands included Carrefour/Bio (88), Boni Selection (81), Albert Heijn Delicata Chocolate/Sparkling Happiness/Discover Happiness/Everyday Happiness (46), Milka (41), and Delhaize/Delicata Chocolate Sparkling Happiness/Pâtisserie Fine (41). New brands recently introduced into the Belgian market were Ferrero Eggs (cocoa eggs), Disney Frozen II (Olaf ice cream), Biotona Claudia's (organic daily power granola), and PJMasks (party cake).
In Belgium, the fastest growing flavours within cocoa products were lemon (+300%), Speculoos/Speculaas (+300%), orange/sweet orange (+200%), pistachio (+150%), dark/black chocolate (+100%), and raspberry (+50%) between Q2-2019 and Q2-2021. New ingredients included Apocarotenoid, tomato puree, kelp extract, onion extract, curry sauce, Alpha-amylase, chicken thigh, pumpkin seed protein, Ceylon cinnamon, and Annatto extracts Norbixin-based. Top growing claims were wholegrain (+150%), palm oil free (+75%), free from added/artificial flavourings (+75%), and children between 5-12yrs (+20%); while declining claims by −100% included GMO free, added calcium, low/no/reduced calorie, low/no/reduced glycemic, and high/added fibre.
The largest category for new cocoa food product launches in the Belgium market was chocolate confectionery with 962 products (49.4%) over the 5.4-year period. The bakery category followed with 480 new cocoa products (24.7%), and the desserts and ice cream category with 222 new products (11.4%). The growing category was breakfast cereals (+700%), while declining categories included dairy (−66.7%), desserts and ice cream (−37.5%), and chocolate confectionery (−9.4%) between Q2-2020 and Q2-2021.
| Category | Top 50 brands launched (product item count) | Number of products in category |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate confectionery | Albert Heijn Delicata Chocolate Happiness (Sparkling Happiness)/Discover/Everyday Happiness (47), Boni Selection (36), Milka (36), Côte d'Or/Mignonnette (36), Galler (30), Libeert (23), Kinder Surprise (22), Carrefour/Bio (20), M&M's (19), Guylian (19), Belvas (19), Storck Merci Finest Selection (16), Vivani (15), Delhaize/Delicata Chocolate Sparkling Happiness (14), NewTree (10), Celebrations (9), Hema (8), Hands Off My Chocolate (8), Mayata (8), AH/Excellent Speciaal voor de Feestdagen (8), Magic (8), Cachet (8), Hamlet (8), Nestlé Les Recettes de l'Atelier (7), Storck Merci Petits (7), Godiva (7), Tony's Chocolonely (7), Kruidvat (6), Biochoc (6), Lotus (4), De Belgen Les Belges (4), Delicieux (1) | 962 |
| Bakery | Carrefour/Bio (63), AH/Excellent Speciaal voor de Feestdagen/uit de Bakkerij (32), Delhaize/Pâtisserie Fine (23), Boni Selection (22), Delacre/Tea Time (15), Lotus (10), Oreo (10), Paul Gaelens Knokke (6), Dr. Oetker (5), Milka (4), De Belgen Les Belges (2), Libeert (1), M&M's (1), Hema (1), Kruidvat (1) | 480 |
| Desserts and ice cream | Boni Selection (19), Ben and Jerry's (8), Ijsboerke (7), Häagen-Dazs (6), Lotus (5), Delicieux (5), Delhaize/Pâtisserie Fine (4), Carrefour (3), Côte d'Or (3), ADr. Oetker (3), H Excellent Speciaal voor de Feestdagen (2), M&M's (2), De Belgen Les Belges (1), Paul Gaelens Knokke (1) | 222 |
| Breakfast cereals | Carrefour (1) | 82 |
| Snacks | Kruidvat (1) | 72 |
| Dairy | Cécémel (8), Boni Selection (3), Galler (2), Carrefour (1), AH (1) | 59 |
| Sugar and gum confectionery | AH (2), Delhaize (1) | 38 |
| Sweet spreads | Boni Selection (1), Milka (1), Galler (1) | 21 |
| Baby food; meals and meal centers | Brands not in top 100 | 6 |
| Total sample size | 1,946 | |
| Source: Mintel, 2021 | ||
Product examples
Milk Chocolate Peanut Bites with Pink Himalayan Salt
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Sweetwell Zona Franca |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sweet Well |
| Category | Chocolate confectionery |
| Country | Market United States (patented Belgium recipe) |
| Related ingredients | Cocoa mass, cocoa butter, cocoa fat, cocoa powder |
| Store name/type | Amazon.com, internet/mail order |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | March 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 19.99 |
Made with 100% real chocolate from Trinitario cocoa beans from Mesoamerica, and stevia sweetened, and provide 1 gram net carbs, 13 grams fat, 4 grams protein and 4 grams fiber per 1 ounce serving. The keto friendly, patented Belgium recipe product is an excellent source of fiber, is low in glycemic index, and is free from genetically engineered ingredients, trans fat, sugar and gluten. According to the manufacturer, of the total product calories, 3% come from net carbs, 85% from fat and 12% from protein. It is handcrafted in small batches using traditional tools and techniques from the best Belgium chocolatiers. Also, available in milk or dark chocolate almond bites with pink Himalayan salt flavours.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Gourmet Soft Toffee
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Dave's Sweet Tooth Toffee |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dave's Sweet Tooth Toffee |
| Category | Sugar and gum confectionery |
| Country | Manufactured in the United States, not imported |
| Related ingredients | Dark chocolate coating, alkaline cocoa powder |
| Store name/type | Meijer, supermarket, Rolling Meadows 60008, Illinois |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | January 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 5.00 |
The kosher product is described as an award-winning soft toffee with an easy on teeth, cookie-like crunch.
Dark Chocolate Tablet with Mealworms
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Micronutris |
|---|---|
| Brand | Micronutris Microdélices |
| Category | Chocolate confectionery |
| Country | Manufactured and market France |
| Related ingredients | Dark chocolate, cocoa liquor (mass), cocoa fat, cocoa butter |
| Store name/type | SantéDiscount, online internet/mail order |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | March 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 7.23 / €5.99 |
Described as a handmade chocolate with mealworms, made in France with natural ingredients, and is said to be healthy and very tasty. The manufacturer claims that insects provide high nutritional value, while having a low impact on the environment. Edible insects are thus said to represent a natural, responsible and credible solution for future stakes. The high quality product is made with insects raised in France and fed with ingredients from organic farming. It is free from gluten, GMOs, colourants, preservatives and flavour enhancers.
Cocoa Milk-Free Dessert
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | LNS |
|---|---|
| Brand | Laboratoires Picot Pepti-Junior |
| Sub-category | Baby food/baby fruit products, desserts and yogurts |
| Country | Manufactured in France, not imported |
| Related ingredients | Cocoa powder |
| Store name/type | Pharmacie Centre Cial Cora,
drugstore/pharmacy, St Maximin 60740 |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | March 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 4.89 / €4.10 |
The product is suitable for babies from six months old and is a source of calcium. It is free from milk, lactose, gluten, preservatives and colourings. It retails in a 400 gram partially recyclable pack containing four 100 gram units.
Gold Credit Card High Quality Whole Milk Chocolate
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Confiserie Heidel |
|---|---|
| Brand | Confiserie Heidel |
| Category | Chocolate Confectionery |
| Country | Market Switzerland |
| Related ingredients | Cocoa butter, cocoa mass |
| Store name/type | Müller, drugstore/pharmacy,
Winterthur 8404 |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | March 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 4.57 / CHF4.25 |
Gold Credit Card High Quality Whole Milk Chocolate is now available. The product retails in a 30 gram pack containing 10 gram units.
Chocolate Hazelnut Brittle Ice Cream
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Froneri |
|---|---|
| Brand | Mövenpick #Sensations |
| Category | Desserts and ice cream/dairy based |
| Country | Market Switzerland |
| Related ingredients | Premium, low/no/reduced allergen, functional – skin & coat/digestion, pet – adult, junior |
| Store name/type | Coop, supermarket, Lachen 8853 |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | April 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 12.60 / CHF11.65 |
Chocolate Hazelnut Brittle Ice Cream is described as a chocolate ice cream with an extra portion of nuts, with hazelnut sauce and brittle. The product retails in a 900 millilitre pack with recyclable cup and lid.
Coconut Thins
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Neuhaus |
|---|---|
| Brand | Neuhaus |
| Sub-category | Chocolate Confectionery |
| Country | Market Belgium, not imported |
| Related ingredients | Dark Chocolate, cocoa liquor (mass), fat reduced cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cocoa fat |
| Store name/type | Delhaize, supermarket
Wezembeek-Oppem 1970 |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | February 2021 |
| Price in US dollars | 9.70 / €8.00 |
Described as dark chocolate nougatines hand-crafted in Belgium with ingredients of natural origin. The product is cooked in copper kettles, baked liked a biscuit and then covered in a chocolate made with pure cocoa butter. It is free from alcohol and retails in a 114 gram pack containing approximately 11 units and bearing the Belgian Royal Warrant.
Organic Dark Chocolate Oat Clusters
Source: Mintel, 2021
| Company | Kellogg |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kellogg's Extra Bio |
| Category | Breakfast cereals/cold cereals |
| Country | Market Belgium |
| Related ingredients | Dark chocolate pieces, cocoa liquor (paste), cocoa fat, cocoa butter |
| Store name/type | Bio Planet, natural/health food store
Mechelen 2800 |
| Launch type | New product |
| Date published | May 2020 |
| Price in US dollars | 4.61 / €4.19 |
The product is made with the highest quality ingredients and carefully selected cereals including crunchy oat clusters and generous dark chocolate pieces made from cocoa from responsible supply chains. It is suitable for vegetarians, is free from palm oil and artificial flavours or colours, and retails in a 375 gram pack featuring the AB, EU Green Leaf and UTZ Certified Cocoa logos.
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Resources
- Global Trade Tracker, 2021
- Mintel Global New Products Database, 2021
Customized Report Services – Ingredient focus: Products containing cocoa or chocolate chips in selected markets
Global Analysis Report
Prepared by: Erin-Ann Chauvin, Senior Market Analyst
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