Market evolution: Sugar confectionery (CN 170490) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of the European Union's trade in sugar confectionery (excluding cocoa and chewing gum) under customs code 170490 between 2015 and 2025. The EU has solidified its position as a major net exporter in this sector. The analysis is based on a comprehensive set of trade data, revealing significant growth, structural shifts in partnerships, and evolving product-level dynamics. The key findings are organized into three main areas: the dominant growth in exports driving a record trade surplus, the simultaneous expansion and diversification of import sources, and the underlying price and productivity trends across key product segments. The data consistently shows the EU's strong global competitiveness and the sector's resilience and adaptability over the decade.

1. A Decade of Dominant Export Growth and Surging Trade Surplus

The EU's sugar confectionery sector has been characterized by strong export performance, which has significantly outpaced import growth and resulted in a doubling of the trade surplus over the period.

The Export Value More Than Doubled, Driven by Volume and Price Increases

Between 2015 and 2025, the value of EU exports of sugar confectionery (CN 170490) nearly doubled, increasing from €1.38 billion to €2.71 billion. This impressive growth of 96.3% was the combined result of a substantial 29.7% increase in exported quantity (from 422,339 tonnes to 547,749 tonnes) and a significant 51.3% rise in the average export price (from €3,274 per tonne to €4,955 per tonne). Price appreciation, particularly after 2021, was a critical driver of value growth.

Source: General Overview

The United Kingdom and the United States Emerged as the Premier Export Markets

The growth in exports was geographically concentrated. The United Kingdom remained the EU's largest single export destination, with trade value increasing by 85.4% to €783 million. However, the most spectacular growth occurred with the United States, where export value surged by 167.1% to €530 million, making it the second-largest market. Other significant growth markets included Canada (+142.7%) and Norway (+62.9%).

Source: Top partners by value (exports)

The EU Trade Surplus Doubled to Nearly €2 Billion

The strong export growth occurred alongside more moderate import expansion. As a result, the EU's trade surplus in sugar confectionery expanded by 102%, rising from €971 million in 2015 to a record €1.96 billion in 2025. This underscores the sector's strong competitive position in global markets.

Source: General Overview

2. Import Expansion, Diversification, and Shifting Supply Dynamics

While becoming a larger net exporter, the EU also experienced substantial growth and structural change in its imports of sugar confectionery.

Import Value and Volume Grew Significantly, Led by a Few Key Suppliers

EU imports of CN 170490 grew by 82.8% in value (from €412 million to €754 million) and by 58.1% in quantity (from 111,354 tonnes to 176,045 tonnes) between 2015 and 2025. This growth was heavily influenced by a few partners. Ukraine and China emerged as major new suppliers, with import values from Ukraine increasing by 649.4% and from China by 328.0%. Türkiye and Switzerland also remained important and growing sources.

Source: Top partners by value (imports)

Import Concentration Decreased, Signaling Diversification of Supply

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for imports by value dropped sharply by 45.6% (from 2,533 to 1,379), indicating a significant diversification of the EU's import sources away from historical concentrations. The declining dominance of the United Kingdom as a supplier and the rise of Ukraine, China, and others contributed to this more balanced import structure.

Source: Concentration (HHI)

German and Dutch Ports Are Key Gateways for Imports

Among EU member states, Germany consistently held the largest share of extra-EU imports, with its import value growing by 31.9% to €155 million. The Netherlands showed the most dramatic growth, with imports surging by 341.1% to €142 million, solidifying its role as a major logistics and distribution hub. Poland (+219.3%) and Romania (+221.3%) also saw enormous growth in their import shares.

Source: Top reporters by value (imports)

3. Price Inflation and Product-Segment Specialization Drive the Overall Trend

The aggregate trade figures mask distinct dynamics at the product segment level, where specific categories have experienced divergent price and volume trends.

White Chocolate Saw Exceptional Price Inflation, Altering Its Trade Balance

The sub-product "White chocolate" (CN 17049030) exhibited the most extreme price trend. Its average export price nearly quintupled, soaring from €4,266/tonne in 2015 to €9,615/tonne in 2025, while its import price also escalated to €9,382/tonne. Despite this, export volume remained relatively stable, indicating resilient demand. In contrast, import volumes were more volatile, spiking in 2018 before falling.

Source: Product Segment Breakdown

Gum & Jelly Confectionery Remains the Volume Leader in Both Exports and Imports

"Gum and jelly confectionery" (CN 17049065) is the largest category by volume for both EU exports and imports. Export volumes grew by 62% to 245,716 tonnes, though they peaked in 2023. Import volumes doubled to 61,349 tonnes. This category saw steady price increases, with export prices rising 53% to €3,859/tonne, solidifying its role as the backbone of the sector's trade.

Source: Product Segment Breakdown

The EU's Production and Specialisation Underpin Its Export Strength

EU production of sugar confectionery grew strongly, with value increasing by 60.5% to €9.8 billion and quantity by 29.9% to 2.49 million kg between the first and last available years. Belgium and Denmark show the highest Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) scores, indicating strong specialisation in this product group. This production base provides the foundation for the EU's successful export orientation, which saw the export propensity (exports as a share of production) more than double to 27.1%.

Source: Market Structure

Conclusion

From 2015 to 2025, the EU's sugar confectionery market demonstrated remarkable vitality and structural evolution. The period was defined by explosive export growth fueled by both higher volumes and significantly higher prices, which doubled the trade surplus to nearly €2 billion. Simultaneously, the import landscape underwent a strategic diversification, with Ukraine, China, and Türkiye emerging as major new suppliers, reducing historical dependence on the United Kingdom. Underpinning these trends were segment-specific dynamics, most notably the extraordinary price inflation in white chocolate and the robust volume leadership of gum and jelly confectionery. Supported by growing domestic production and strong specialisation in key member states, the EU has not only maintained but strengthened its position as a dominant global player in the sugar confectionery trade throughout the decade.