Market evolution: Sugar confectionery (CN 1704) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report analyses the evolution of the European Union's trade in sugar confectionery (Customs Code 1704) over the period 2015-2025. The analysis covers trade flows between the EU and non-EU countries, focusing on value, volume, and pricing dynamics, as well as shifts in partnership concentration and market structure. The full product definition encompasses a wide range of goods including chewing gum, white chocolate, and other sugar-based confections.
1. A Decade of Robust Growth and Strengthened Trade Balance
The EU's external trade in sugar confectionery expanded substantially over the reviewed period, with the bloc consolidating its position as a major net exporter.
Significant expansion in export value outpaces volume growth
Between 2015 and 2025, the total value of EU exports grew by 95.8%, rising from €1.42 billion to €2.78 billion. This growth significantly outpaced the increase in exported quantity, which rose by 29.5% over the same period. The primary driver was a 51.2% rise in the average export price, climbing from €3,310 per tonne to €5,005 per tonne. This suggests a shift towards higher-value products or successful pricing power in global markets.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports Value (EUR) | €1.42 billion | €2.78 billion | +95.8% |
| Exports Quantity (t) | 428,074 | 554,379 | +29.5% |
| Exports Price (EUR/t) | €3,310 | €5,005 | +51.2% |
| Imports Value (EUR) | €447.9 million | €814.6 million | +81.9% |
| Imports Quantity (t) | 121,932 | 187,505 | +53.8% |
| Imports Price (EUR/t) | €3,673 | €4,344 | +18.3% |
| Trade Balance (EUR) | €969.2 million | €1.96 billion | +102.3% |
Source: General Overview
The EU's net exporter status is firmly reinforced
The net import reliance indicator, which is negative for net exporters, deepened from -5.9% in 2015 to -24.1% in 2025. Concurrently, the export propensity (the share of EU production that is exported) tripled from 8.8% to 27.0%. These metrics confirm that the EU's sugar confectionery industry became markedly more export-oriented, with the positive trade balance more than doubling to nearly €2 billion.
2. Diversification of Partnerships Amidst Geopolitical Shifts
While long-standing partners like the United Kingdom remain dominant, the data reveals a clear diversification of trade partners and notable volatility in certain relationships.
Traditional partners maintain leadership, but growth is uneven
The top partners by value show the UK as the largest destination for EU exports (€793 million in 2025) and the largest source of imports (€192 million). However, its import growth stagnated (-3.0%), while exports to it grew robustly (+84.2%). In contrast, several other partners showed explosive growth.
| Partner | Trade Flow | 2015 (EUR) | 2025 (EUR) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Exports | €430 million | €793 million | +84.2% |
| United Kingdom | Imports | €198 million | €192 million | -3.0% |
| Türkiye | Imports | €60 million | €134 million | +123.5% |
| Ukraine | Imports | €13 million | €98 million | +649.6% |
| China | Imports | €30 million | €113 million | +280.9% |
| United States | Exports | €200 million | €537 million | +169.0% |
| Canada | Exports | €49 million | €118 million | +139.5% |
Import sourcing and export destinations became less concentrated
The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for imports by value fell sharply by 42.7%, from 2,456 to 1,408. This indicates a significant diversification of import sources, moving away from a previously more concentrated supply base (likely the UK). The export HHI remained stable, suggesting consistent destination markets. This import diversification enhances supply chain resilience.
3. Internal Production Specialisation and Product Segment Dynamics
Behind the aggregate trade figures lie shifts in production specialisation across EU member states and divergent performance between product sub-segments.
A core group of EU members drives export specialisation
Data on most specialised reporters (based on Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage) for 2025 highlights Denmark, Belgium, Poland, and Spain as leaders in sugar confectionery exports. These countries combine high production shares with strong export orientation. Germany remains the largest exporter by value (€757 million), followed by Spain (€437 million) and Belgium (€402 million).
The non-chewing gum segment dominates and commands premium prices
The product segment breakdown reveals that the category "Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa, incl. white chocolate (excl. chewing gum)" (CN 170490) constitutes the vast majority of trade. In 2025, it accounted for 97.8% of export value and 92.5% of import value. Notably, this segment's export price surged from €3,274/t to €4,955/t (+51.3%), while the much smaller chewing gum segment (CN 170410) exhibited high price volatility and ended the period at €9,176/t, reflecting its distinct market dynamics and smaller scale.
Conclusion
From 2015 to 2025, the EU's sugar confectionery sector demonstrated strong external performance, characterized by nearly doubling its trade surplus to €1.96 billion. This was achieved through a combination of significant price increases and steady volume growth in exports. The market structure evolved with a clear diversification of import sources, reducing dependency and increasing resilience. Internally, production and export capacity are concentrated in a handful of member states with clear comparative advantages. The industry's success is overwhelmingly tied to the high-value non-chewing gum segment, which consistently commanded premium prices. Overall, the data portrays a mature, competitive, and increasingly globally integrated EU sugar confectionery industry over the last decade.