HS Code:
The category 'Containing less than 65 percent by weight of sugar' typically falls under HS Code 1704, which includes sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa. This category encompasses a wide range of products such as hard candies, gummies, marshmallows, and other sweets with a sugar content below 65% by weight. These products are popular globally due to their appeal across various age groups and cultures, often used as snacks or treats. Trade in this category is influenced by consumer preferences, health trends, and regulatory policies on sugar content and food safety.
Total Trade Volume
USD 12.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
8.5%
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Shift towards low-sugar and sugar-free confectionery
Increased demand for products with natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol, influencing product innovation and trade patterns.
2021-2022
Rising health consciousness among consumers
Decline in demand for traditional high-sugar confectionery, pushing manufacturers to adapt to healthier alternatives and impacting export volumes.
2020-2022
Growth in e-commerce for confectionery products
Facilitated cross-border trade, especially for niche or specialty low-sugar products, boosting trade volumes in regions with high internet penetration.
2022
The European Union introduced stricter labeling requirements for sugar content in confectionery products, mandating clear nutritional information to combat obesity.
January 2023
Exporters to the EU must adapt packaging, potentially increasing costs but ensuring market access.
Under the USMCA agreement, tariffs on sugar confectionery between the US, Mexico, and Canada were reduced, promoting trade within North America.
July 2022
Increased trade volumes among member countries, with Mexico seeing a notable rise in exports to the US.
China implemented a national health policy discouraging high-sugar diets, influencing demand for low-sugar confectionery products.
March 2023
Shift in import patterns towards products with less than 65% sugar content, benefiting exporters of healthier alternatives.