Which country eats the most chocolate?
Who doesn't like chocolate? It is sold not only in chocolate shops, but also in all gas stations, supermarkets, hotel lobbies and big boxes throughout the country. Many holidays revolve around sweets and chocolate. Valentine's Day in particular sends millions of people flocking to drugstores to buy heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate candies. Halloween has become extremely popular, thanks in part to our favorite fun-sized candies.
Despite gaining a top spot as one of the most obese countries in the world, Americans don't consume the most chocolate. However, Americans import more chocolate products and ingredients than any other country. We also consume the most chocolate, but this is partly due to our geographical size. We eat as much chocolate-free candy (like Skittles, Starburst, candy corn) as we do chocolate. To compare our consumption with other countries, we must look at consumption per country inhabitant.
Known for their delicious chocolate, the Swiss have the honor of eating the most chocolate per capita. This looks like 20 kg. per person per year. In second and third place are Austria and Germany with just under 18 lbs. inhabitants per year. This is especially interesting considering that the cacao tree does not grow near these countries.
If I had a cocoa tree in my backyard, you better believe I'd be making chocolate bars. But despite Ivory Coast's bean production, they are not the largest producer of chocolate or consumers of chocolate. Additional chocolate statistics and points of interest are highlighted in the remainder of this article.
Years ago I was introduced as someone who eats her fair share of chocolate as well as yours. I'm pretty sure I could outdo the best chocolatier. Luckily for all of us, there seems to be plenty to do. In fact, the chocolate industry continues to grow despite our desire to eat healthy. That said, we've enjoyed the recent popularity of dark chocolates, which boast flavonols, heart health, and antioxidants. While we prefer our tried-and-true candy bars (Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Snickers Bar top the rankings in the US), we are open to new combinations and have been pushing the boundaries of dark and bitter chocolate. For example, I enjoy testing and tasting new trends.
Who eats the most chocolate?
The difference between the highest chocolate consumption per population between countries is small. For example, although Switzerland has consistently come out on top, they experienced a decline in consumption and production during the Covid epidemic. The general forecast for chocolate is that sales and consumption will remain stable in the international market in the coming years. Women eat slightly more chocolate than men, but not as much as you might think. Women think and talk about chocolate more often, because they get the impression that it is a female-dominated market. Women report craving chocolate significantly more than men. Traditionally, men offer a box of chocolates to woo a woman, but increasingly women simply buy their own chocolates and the gender chocolate line has become blurred. Predictably, adults eat more chocolate than children, but older adults outpace those under 45 in consumption, except in Europe, where younger adults are dishing out the cash.
Which country consumes the least chocolate?
When you typically visit a Chinese restaurant in the US, you will notice that the dessert menu is quite sparse. Many of us end our meal with a simple fortune cookie. It will come as no surprise to hear that China has one of the lowest chocolate consumptions per capita. India also has low consumption, but that seems to be changing. Most of India's population is under the age of 30 and the demand for chocolate is increasing. Projected production and consumption are expected to grow steadily as the population ages. The biggest surprise is probably the low consumption in the countries that grow the most chocolate. The low consumption in African countries is due to the financial constraints associated with purchasing a finished chocolate product. The average farmer simply cannot afford a bar.
Who produces the most chocolate?
The country producing the largest cocoa bean crop is Ivory Coast, followed by Ghana and Indonesia. Cocoa trees with their football-shaped pods only grow near the equator. West Africa produces the majority of the world's raw cocoa products, while South and Central America and the Caribbean account for much of the rest.
On the other hand, Europe produces the most ready-made chocolate. Germany, Belgium, Italy and Poland produce much of the world's chocolate. This may be because chocolate was brought to Europe long before it was introduced to other parts of the world. The Swiss have been making chocolate products since the 17th century. It is believed that Belgium produces the best quality chocolate in the world. Similar to the regulations for the French baguette, chocolate made in Belgium has national laws that guarantee the quality of their chocolate. For example, at least 35% pure cocoa must be used in production. This standard also applies to milk chocolate, while the minimum in the US is 10%.
Which type of chocolate is consumed the most?
In America we love our milk chocolate. More than 50% of us prefer it to semi- or bittersweet chocolate. While we're unlikely to give up our Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, there is a tendency to shift our loyalties. Firstly, the benefits of eating dark chocolate are becoming more accepted, and therefore the proportion of people who prefer dark chocolate is increasing (about 35%). Second, the quality and availability of white chocolate is increasing, with 11% of Americans calling it their favorite.
Who are the largest chocolate companies?
In America, Hershey is still king, producing more than 40% of the chocolate made here since 1894. The biggest competitor is Mars, with 30% of the market share. Lindt, headquartered in Switzerland, also produces in the US and has a modest market share. Interestingly, both Mars and Lindt have a much larger presence internationally. Also across the pond, Cadbury, Nestle and Rocherro enjoy a significant global presence.
Chocolate statistics can be inconsistent and changing. Ultimately, most people agree that there's nothing wrong with a little chocolate therapy.
