Swiss consumed less chocolate in 2015

There are 18 chocolate manufacturers in Switzerland Keystone

The per capita consumption of chocolate in Switzerland fell from 11.7kg in 2014 to 11.1kg in 2015. Exports helped compensate for a significant drop in domestic sales. 

Figures released by the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers on Tuesday reveal that domestic chocolate sales fell by 5.9% in 2015. The industry body blamed an unusually warm summer, a fall in foreign visitors and an increase in cross-border shopping for the decline in domestic demand. It also blamed the strong franc for an increase in the consumption of imported chocolate from 32.7% to 38.7%. In total, domestic consumption of Swiss chocolate amounted to 64,383 tons worth CHF904 million ($904 million), a drop of almost 1% in sales compared to 2014. 

Exports to the rescue

Switzerland exported a total of 117,031 tons of chocolate which brought in CHF843 million, an increase of 2.5% in sales compared to the year before. Germany (18.5%), UK (12.1%), France (9.4%) and Canada (7.7%) were the biggest markets. Biggest growth was seen in Belgium and Netherlands in Europe and Australia, Singapore, UAE and Japan outside Europe. However, sales fell significantly in countries like Austria and Italy, as well as important emerging markets like China, Russia and Philippines.