7 Reasons Why You Should Export Chocolate to Other Countries
Chocolate is one of the most popular and delicious products in the world. It has many benefits for health, mood, and culture. But did you know that exporting chocolate can also be a great opportunity for your business? Here are seven reasons why you should consider exporting chocolate to other countries.
1. You can reach new markets and customers
Exporting chocolate allows you to expand your customer base and increase your sales. You can tap into the growing demand for chocolate in emerging markets, such as China, India, and Brazil. You can also offer your products to different segments and niches, such as vegan, organic, or fair trade chocolate lovers.
2. You can diversify your income and reduce risks
Exporting chocolate can help you balance your income and reduce your dependence on a single market. You can also hedge against fluctuations in currency, demand, and prices. By exporting chocolate, you can spread your risks and take advantage of opportunities in different regions and seasons.
3. You can increase your competitiveness and reputation
Exporting chocolate can help you improve your quality, innovation, and branding. You can learn from best practices and feedback from other markets and customers. You can also enhance your reputation and credibility as a global player in the chocolate industry.
4. You can benefit from trade agreements and incentives
Exporting chocolate can help you access preferential tariffs and quotas under various trade agreements, such as the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) or the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). You can also benefit from various incentives and support programs offered by governments and organizations, such as export credit insurance, trade missions, and market research.
5. You can contribute to social and environmental causes
Exporting chocolate can help you make a positive impact on the world. You can support the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and workers in developing countries by paying fair prices and ensuring ethical sourcing. You can also promote environmental sustainability by using organic and eco-friendly packaging and ingredients.
6. You can enjoy the cultural and personal benefits of exporting chocolate
Exporting chocolate can help you enrich your cultural and personal experience. You can learn about different cultures, tastes, and preferences of other countries. You can also travel, network, and make new friends around the world.
7. You can have fun and fulfill your passion for chocolate
Exporting chocolate can help you have fun and fulfill your passion for chocolate. You can experiment with new flavors, recipes, and designs. You can also share your love for chocolate with others and make them happy.
If you are interested in exporting chocolate to other countries, you need to do some research and planning before you start. You need to understand the market potential, regulations, logistics, and costs of exporting chocolate. You also need to find reliable partners, such as suppliers, distributors, and customers.
Exporting chocolate to other countries can be a rewarding and profitable venture for your business. It can also be a way to share your passion for chocolate with the world. So what are you waiting for? Start exporting chocolate today!
The Global Demand for Chocolate: Trends and Statistics
Chocolate is one of the most popular and widely consumed products in the world, with an estimated global market value of over $100 billion in 2021. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are mainly grown in West Africa, Latin America and Asia. The demand for chocolate is influenced by various factors, such as consumer preferences, income levels, health awareness, environmental and social issues, and innovation.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), chocolate was the world’s 141st most traded product in 2021, with a total trade value of $32.7 billion. Between 2020 and 2021, the exports of chocolate grew by 14.2%, from $28.7 billion to $32.7 billion. Trade in chocolate represented 0.16% of total world trade in 2021.
The top exporters of chocolate in 2021 were Germany ($5.4 billion), Belgium ($3.3 billion), Italy ($2.4 billion), Poland ($2.4 billion) and the Netherlands ($2.2 billion). These five countries accounted for 47.7% of the global chocolate exports in 2021. The top importers of chocolate in 2021 were the United States ($3.9 billion), Germany ($2.5 billion), France ($2.4 billion), the United Kingdom ($2 billion) and Canada ($1.3 billion). These five countries accounted for 37.8% of the global chocolate imports in 2021.
The Future of Chocolate: Challenges and Opportunities
The chocolate industry faces several challenges and opportunities in the future, as consumer demand and preferences evolve, and as environmental and social issues become more prominent. Some of the main challenges include:
The sustainability of cocoa production
Cocoa farming is often associated with deforestation, soil degradation, child labor, low incomes and poor working conditions for farmers. The chocolate industry needs to ensure that cocoa is produced in a way that respects human rights, protects biodiversity and mitigates climate change impacts.
The health and wellness trend
Consumers are becoming more aware of the nutritional and health benefits of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants, flavonoids and minerals. However, consumers are also concerned about the high sugar, fat and calorie content of some chocolate products, and are looking for healthier alternatives, such as organic, vegan, sugar-free or functional chocolate.
The innovation and differentiation
Consumers are seeking new and diverse experiences with chocolate, such as different flavors, textures, shapes, formats and occasions. The chocolate industry needs to innovate and differentiate its products to meet the changing consumer needs and preferences, and to create value-added products that can compete with other snacks and confectionery.
The chocolate industry has also many opportunities to grow and expand its market share, such as:
The emerging markets
The demand for chocolate is expected to increase in emerging markets, such as China, India, Brazil and Russia, where the consumption per capita is still low compared to developed markets, such as Europe and North America. The chocolate industry can tap into these markets by offering affordable, accessible and appealing products that cater to the local tastes and preferences of consumers.
The premiumization trend
Consumers are willing to pay more for high-quality, artisanal, ethical and personalized chocolate products that offer a unique and indulgent experience. The chocolate industry can leverage its expertise, craftsmanship and heritage to create premium products that differentiate themselves from mass-market products.
The e-commerce channel
The online sales of chocolate have increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers shifted their shopping habits from physical stores to digital platforms. The e-commerce channel offers many advantages for the chocolate industry, such as reaching new customers, reducing distribution costs, enhancing customer loyalty and providing data-driven insights.
References:
https://web.archive.org/web/20070604203647/http://www.chocolateusa.org/pdfs/CMA-stakeholder.pdf
https://www.statista.com/topics/1638/chocolate-industry/
https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/chocolate
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https://www.worldcocoafoundation.org/
https://www.finechocolateindustry.org/
https://acadofchoc.com/
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