On Thursday, the Federation of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers (Chocosuisse) reported total sales of CHF1.85 billion ($1.98 billion) for the year. The volume of chocolate sold also increased by 2.7% to 190,731 tons.
However, sales inside Switzerland dropped by 1.3%. Swiss residents consumed “only” 10.5 kg of chocolate per person in 2017; half a kilo less than the year before.
It was the growth in exports that offset the decline in domestic. The volume sold abroad increased by 4.8% to 127,923 tonnes, while total export turnover increased by 6.9% to CHF936 million.
After a three-year decline, the German market perked up in 2017, reporting a 16% increase in sales. Except for the United States (-7%), the other top five consumer destinations also grew: the UK by 2%, France by 8% and Canada by 6%. Among the top 20, Australia and Russia posted the highest growth rates.
In 2017, Chocosuisse counted 18 chocolate manufacturers among its membersExternal link who employed a total of 4,608 people.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Zurich: how the world capital of housing shortages is tackling the problem
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Basel prepares 700 volunteers for the Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Around 320 people took part in one of the two official information events for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel on Friday.
More Swiss soldiers involved in accidents during training in Austria
This content was published on
The Swiss army has reported various accidents involving Swiss soldiers during the exercise “TRIAS 25” in Austria. Some have led to hospitalisations.
Swiss court rules vegan meat substitutes can’t use animal names
This content was published on
Vegan meat substitutes may not bear animal names such as “planted.chicken” according to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Swiss cantons spared duty to create new traveller transit sites
This content was published on
Swiss cantons will no longer be formally obliged by the government to create new transit sites for the travelling community.
Swiss politicians bemoan limited access to EU treaty details
This content was published on
Protests that only a few Swiss parliamentarians will be able to read the contents of a new agreement negotiated with the EU.
This content was published on
For the first time, most Swiss residents favour withdrawing their pension pot as a lump-sum over regular annuity payments.
‘Fourth kind of chocolate’ targets millennials’ taste buds
This content was published on
Called Ruby chocolate, it is made from the Ruby cocoa bean, which is processed to showcase a characteristic natural reddish tinge. The new chocolate on the block is not milky, bitter or sweet but is very smooth and offers a berry-like fruitiness, according to Swiss manufacturer Barry Callebaut. The company wants to target millennials –…
Are low-sugar treats an option in the land of chocolate?
This content was published on
Companies in Switzerland have started voluntarily reducing sugar in their products, but it’s proving quite a challenge for the industry.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.