Agriculture & Food

According to customs data, EU exports of chocolate and candy to Russia have soared to a record high of 617 million euros.

According to customs data, in 2022, EU countries exported nearly 87000 tons of chocolate products to Russia, reaching a record of 514.8 million euros. According to customs data, in terms of currency, European exports increased by 17.6% year-on-year. At the same time, nearly 59000 tons of cocoa raw materials, including beans, flour and oil, were exported. Customs data showed that the export value was 180.1 million euros, an increase of 12.5% year on year.

European exports of non-cocoa confectionery to Russia amounted to 102.3 million euros, up 5.6% year on year. Therefore, in 2022, the EU exported 617 million euros worth of chocolate and candy to Russia.

Andre Zujin, an expert of the "FoodNet" working group of the Russian National Technical Initiative, believes that this change is related to the rise in the price of raw materials. He said: "Most of the price increase is caused by the acceleration of inflation. Developed countries in Europe with inflation of more than 10% are everywhere."

The European Union is not directly sanctioned for supplying candy to Russia, but some European companies have announced the suspension of their business in the country. Against this background, according to customs data, Brazil, Türkiye and China's exports of cocoa free sweets to Russia increased by 1.2 times, 0.6 times and 0.5 times respectively. Türkiye and Armenia's exports of cocoa containing candy to Russia increased by 1.9 times and 0.6 times respectively.