In Middle East, milk chocolate is known to be the most popular cocoa product made from a mixture of sugar, chocolate liquor and condensed milk. Milk chocolate is a solid chocolate confectionery containing cocoa, sugar and milk. As we compare it to other types of chocolates milk chocolate melts easily and has a lighter colour and has a creamier texture.

The advantages of milk chocolate are boosting memory, smoothening and hydrating the skin, reducing the risk of heart strokes and attacks and improving the immune system. It is also a rich source of flavonoids, a type of antioxidants, which eliminate free radicals from the blood stream and improve the blood circulation. Milk chocolate can also be used in many different ways like in hot drinks, in ice-creams, in traditional sweets, pastries and many more. According to reports, milk chocolate gains its more popularity from the young generation. The production of milk chocolate is also done in a higher rate in the Middle East. The popularity is also gained by the types of products made by milk chocolate. Products like bars, cakes, waffles, drinks, muffins etc. The major players in the chocolate market of Middle East are, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG, Tiger Brands Limited and the Mondelez International Inc. AI Nassma, a UAE brand known to be the first camel milk chocolate factory.

As per research almost 70% of world cocoa production is done by the four Western African countries. Countries like Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. Ivory Coast and Ghana are the largest producers of cocoa in the world. Growing cocoa is not an easy task. Labour intensive, as caring for and harvesting the beans requires close and continuous attention. The cocoa tree flowers and fruits grown entire year. It produces large cocoa pods, which need to be cut down from the trees. Each cocoa pod contains 20 to 30 seeds sitting in a sweet white pulp. These are the actual cocoa beans. Every year they produce half a kilo of cocoa. After the harvesting the cocoa, the ripe pods need to be cut open with machetes and the beans are taken out. The cocoa beans then need to be fermented, dried, cleaned and packed and then the farmers are ready to produce chocolates from it.

According to the report of “Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market Outlook 2026”, Middle East and Africa chocolate market is foreseen to grow with the CAGR of more than 9% by 2026. In spite of producing more than 70% of cocoa, the most cocoa beans in the world, Africa remains a poor country due to differences in earnings of farmers who earn a mere amount of 50 Rands a day as compared to chocolate manufacturers earning dollar 390 million a year in profit. And however in Middle East chocolate market, milk chocolate is generating the highest revenue of more than 50% .
During Covid-19 pandemic the chocolate market sales were generally low, but because of the festive seasons like Diwali, Chocolate Day, Christmas. The sales rate increased a little. Here in Middle East the popularity of milk chocolate was high before pandemic so, there was not a much loss in the chocolate market.

Major Companies present in the Chocolate Market are:
1. Ferrero SPA
2. Group Arcor
3. Theo Chocolate
4. Kellogg Company
5. Cacau show
6. La Maison du Chocolate
7. Ezaki Glico Co
8. Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd
9. Lindt and Sprüngli AG
10. Mars Incorporated
11. Mondelez International
12. Morinaga & Co. Ltd
13. Hershey Company
14. Nestle S.A
15. Thorntons
16. Patchi
17. August Storck KG
18. Barry Callebaut
19. Godiva choclatier
20. Stella Bernrain
21. Blommer Chocolates Company
22. Confiserie Leonidas
23. Mary’s Chocolate
24. Lotte Confectionery
25. United Confectionery manufacturers
26. Cemoi Group
27. France Neuhaus
28. Brookside Chocolates

Considered in this report
• Geography: Middle East and Africa
• Base year: 2020
• Estimated year: 2021
• Forecast year: 2026

Aspects covered in this report
• Middle East and Africa chocolate market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region-wise chocolate market analysis
• Various divers and challenges
• Ongoing trends and developments
• Five force models
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions covered in the report
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• South Africa

Types of chocolates in the report
• Milk chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• White chocolate

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.
Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to chocolate industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

Keywords: Europe, North America, South, America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Asia-Pacific, India, Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, Italy, France, Chocolate, Milk , Dark, White, Retailing, Organic, Natural, Everyday, Seasonal, Premium, Gourmet

This report would help you answer the following questions:
1. What is the market size and forecast of the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?
2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market during the forecast period?
3. Which region outstands in the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?
4. Which are the segments to invest in over the forecast period in the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?
5. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?
6. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?
7. What are the major companies in the Middle East and Africa Chocolate Market?