HS Code:
This category includes chocolate and low-fat chocolate crumb preparations containing 5.5 percent or less by weight of butterfat, excluding articles packaged for retail sale as candy or confectionery. These products fall under various Harmonized System (HS) subheadings such as 1806.20.36, 1806.20.38, 1806.20.87, 1806.20.89, 1806.32.16, 1806.32.18, 1806.90.28, and 1806.90.30. These subheadings cover chocolate in bulk forms, preparations for beverages, and other chocolate products not intended for direct retail consumption as sweets. This category is significant in the global food and beverage industry, often used as raw materials or intermediate products in the production of confectionery, bakery items, and dairy products.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $2.5 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & World Trade Organization (WTO) Statistics
$600 million USD
24% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$450 million USD
18% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$350 million USD
14% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$300 million USD
12% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$250 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
6.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
15% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Rising demand for low-fat chocolate products
Increased imports in health-conscious markets like North America and Europe, driving trade growth by 8% annually since 2019
2022
Sustainability and ethical sourcing
Growing preference for sustainably sourced cocoa has led to higher production costs but also opened premium market segments, especially in the EU
2021-2022
Shift towards plant-based chocolate alternatives
Moderate impact on traditional chocolate crumb trade as manufacturers experiment with dairy-free options, affecting low-fat segment growth
2020-2022
The EU introduced regulations in 2023 requiring proof that cocoa products are not linked to deforestation, affecting exporters from West Africa and Latin America supplying chocolate crumb materials.
June 2023
Potential delays and increased compliance costs for exporters, possibly shifting trade flows towards certified sustainable suppliers.
The United States revised tariffs on certain EU chocolate imports as part of trade negotiations, reducing rates temporarily on bulk chocolate preparations.
March 2023
Boosted imports from Belgium and Germany by approximately 5% in mid-2023, benefiting US manufacturers reliant on high-quality chocolate inputs.
Global cocoa prices spiked due to poor harvests in West Africa, impacting the cost of chocolate crumb production and trade margins.
September 2022
Led to a temporary slowdown in trade volume as manufacturers sought alternative suppliers or reduced orders.