In this piece, we will take a look at the five countries that produce the best chocolate in the world. For more countries, head on over to 12 Countries That Produce the Best Chocolate in the World.
5. Netherlands
Chocolate Exports in 2021: $2.1 billion
The Netherlands is a European country with the unique distinction of having significant portions of its land lying below the sea. While few Dutch companies are renowned for their chocolate bars, the country still lies at the heart of modern day chocolate industry. This is due to the ‘Dutch Process’ which is a chocolate extraction process pioneered in the Netherlands. The chocolate that comes out of this process is sweeter and has less caffeine and is used in a variety of products such as ice cream and hot chocolate. Some Dutch chocolate companies are Australian Homemade, Droste, and Chocolaterie Stam.
4. Republic of Poland
Chocolate Exports in 2021: $2.3 billion
The Republic of Poland, or Poland, is a Central European country with a GDP of $1.6 trillion. It is the largest chocolate exporter in Central Europe, and the industry itself has a storied past with Polish kings introducing chocolate to the country in the 1600s and production being disrupted during the second world war. Poland’s first chocolate factory was opened in the 1800s, under the name C. E. Wedel, and started to differentiate its products from ‘mock’ chocolate with unique markings. Wedel is still in business today, under the E. Wedel branding, and the firm is owned by a South Korean group. A publicly traded Polish chocolate firm, and one of the best known in the country, is Wawel S.A. (WSE:WWL.WA).
3. Italian Republic
Chocolate Exports in 2021: $2.4 billion
The Italian Republic is a Southern and Western European country. It has a bustling chocolate industry, which produced 377,858 tons of the food last year which was valued at EUR5.1 billion. Italy produces a wide variety of chocolate products, such as chocolate bars, chocolate eggs, and chocolate spreads. Italy’s most famous chocolate brand, Ferrero Rocher, is known all over the world and is owned by Ferrero SpA. The Italian industry consists primarily of privately held chocolate companies, such as the specialty chocolate maker Amedei and Caffarel, which was the first to produce chocolate in the country.
2. Kingdom of Belgium
Chocolate Exports in 2021: $3.6 billion
The Kingdom of Belgium is a Northern European country that is one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Chocolate is a major industry in the country and has been produced in Belgium since the 1600s. Some Belgian chocolates are also known as Praline, which is a kind of chocolate with a hard outer shell and a soft inner filling. Belgians also manufacture chocolate eggs, truffles, and figurines. The Belgian chocolate industry is one of the largest in the world, with thousands of manufacturers. Some famous chocolate brands and companies are Godiva Chocolatier, Planète Chocolat, and Leonidas.
1. Federal Republic of Germany
Chocolate Exports in 2021: $5.3 billion
The Federal Republic of Germany is a Central European country that is one of Europe’s largest in terms of land mass and economy. It is one of the world’s largest consumers of chocolate, and the industry in the country itself was worth $7.9 billion in 2020 and is slated to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% until 2028 to sit at $10.8 billion. The Germans are known for several unique kinds of chocolates such as Mozartkugel and Schokoladenkuss. One large German publicly traded chocolate company is Halloren Schokoladenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft (FRA:H2RB.HM), which traces its roots back to 1804.
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