Chocolate Importers & Buyers in the USA: US Chocolate Imports by Country

Discover top US chocolate importers and buyers. Learn where the US imports chocolate from and which country imports the most chocolate globally

US Imports Blogs Jan 10, 2025 0 3764 Add to Reading List

Chocolate Importers & Buyers in the USA: US Chocolate Imports by Country

Chocolate is one of the most beloved treats in the world, with the United States being one of the largest consumers of this delicious sweet. To meet the high demand for chocolate, the US relies on importing chocolate from various countries around the globe. According to the US import data and USA chocolate import data, the US chocolate imports accounted for $4.04 billion in 2023 with a 6% increase from the previous year. The US chocolate imports reached $3.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as per the Chocolate import data of the USA and US B/L data.

Importing chocolate into the US has become an essential part of meeting the country’s high consumer demand for premium and specialty products. When considering where does the US import chocolate from, the main sources include countries known for their cocoa production and chocolate craftsmanship, such as Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and Canada. These imports help diversify the American chocolate market, offering a wide range of flavors and quality standards that cater to different tastes and preferences.

According to the live US chocolate Importers data and US buyers list, there are 30,600+ chocolate importers in the US.
Barry Callebaut USA LLC, Ferrero USA, and Mondelez International are the biggest chocolate importers and buyers in the USA.
These US Chocolate importers buy chocolate from 16,800+ suppliers worldwide.
Based on the US shipment data, there are 430000+ active chocolate import shipments into the US.
The US imports chocolates from 120+ countries.
The 4-digit HS code for chocolate is 1806 which specifies chocolate as a cocoa product under the HS code 18 in global trade.

In this article, we will explore the top US chocolate importers and US chocolate import data by country.

List of Top Chocolate Importers in the USA | US Chocolate Importers Database

These are the biggest chocolate importers in the US based on the live US chocolate importers database for 2024:

1. Barry Callebaut USA LLC: $550 million

A leading chocolate and cocoa product importer & supplier to food and beverage companies.
Total Import Quantity: ~95,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~800 shipments.
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois.

2. Ferrero USA: $500 million

Renowned for Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Kinder brands.
Total Import Quantity: ~80,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~750 shipments.
Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey.

3. Mondelez International: $450 million

Producer and importer of iconic chocolate brands like Cadbury and Toblerone.
Total Import Quantity: ~75,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~700 shipments.
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois.

4. Lindt & Sprüngli USA: $400 million

Swiss chocolatier is known for premium chocolate truffles and bars.
Total Import Quantity: ~65,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~650 shipments.
Headquarters: Stratham, New Hampshire.

5. Hershey's (Imports Division): $350 million

Importing specific ingredients and premium chocolate for domestic production.
Total Import Quantity: ~60,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~600 shipments.
Headquarters: Hershey, Pennsylvania.

6. IKEA Group (Food Division): $300 million

Offers Swedish chocolate products as part of its retail portfolio.
Total Import Quantity: ~50,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~500 shipments.
Headquarters: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

7. Lidl US Trading LLC: $250 million

A Discount retailer importing chocolates for its private label brands.
Total Import Quantity: ~45,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~450 shipments.
Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia.

8. Nestlé USA: $200 million

It Imports premium chocolate and ingredients for products like KitKat.
Total Import Quantity: ~35,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~400 shipments.
Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia.

9. Storck USA LP: $150 million

Known for brands like Werther's and RIESEN, importing directly from Germany.
Total Import Quantity: ~25,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~350 shipments.
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois.

10. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (Imports): $100 million

Premium chocolate importing ingredients for high-quality chocolate.
Total Import Quantity: ~15,000 tons.
Active Import Shipments: ~300 shipments.
Headquarters: San Leandro, California.

US Chocolate Imports by Country | Where does the US Import Chocolate from?

Based on the latest US chocolate import data, Canada leads the way with $1.98 billion, occupying a substantial 49.2% share of the market. Following Canada are Mexico and Belgium, highlighting their significance in contributing to the US chocolate import landscape. The top 10 countries from which the US imports the most chocolates, as per the US import data by country and US bill of lading data for 2023-24, include:

1. Canada: $1.98 billion (49.2%)

2. Mexico: $612.30 million (15.1%)

3. Belgium: $215.80 million (5.3%)

4. Germany: $197.41 million (4.9%)

5. Poland: $149.76 million (3.7%)

6. Switzerland: $104.61 million (2.6%)

7. Italy: $101.20 million (2.5%)

8. Croatia: $67.81 million (1.7%)

9. Turkey: $63.35 million (1.6%)

10. France: $62.06 million (1.5%)

US Chocolate Imports Data in the Last 10 Years: Yearly Import Data

Year of Imports	Chocolate import value ($)	Import Quantity
2013	$2.16 billion	605.10 thousand tons
2014	$2.31 billion	583.99 thousand tons
2015	$2.46 billion	610.59 thousand tons
2016	$2.66 billion	650.44 thousand tons
2017	$2.75 billion	660.33 thousand tons
2018	$2.74 billion	661.98 thousand tons
2019	$2.95 billion	692.05 thousand tons
2020	$2.88 billion	685.41 thousand tons
2021	$3.22 billion	724.17 thousand tons
2022	$3.83 billion	781.31 thousand tons
2023	$4.04 billion	718.19 thousand tons

Quarterly Import Data for US Chocolate Imports in 2024

Quarter (2024)	US Import Value ($)	Import Quantity
Quarter 1	$1.01 billion	175.92 million kilograms
Quarter 2	$1.06 billion	182.02 million kilograms
Quarter 3	$1.43 billion	205.98 million kilograms
Total Imports in 2024	$3.5 billion	563.92 million kilograms

Top 10 Chocolate Importer Brands in the US by Consumer Share

Hershey’s is the most consumed brand in the USA followed by Reese’s and KitKat. The top 10 chocolate importer brands in the US based on the share percentage of consumer preferences include:

1. Hershey’s: 57%

2. Reese’s: 56%

3. KitKat: 50%

4. Snickers: 48%

5. Twix: 43%

6. Butterfinger: 36%

7. Dove Chocolate: 35%

8. Ghirardelli: 34%

9. 3 Musketeers: 33%

10. Almond Joy: 30%

United States Chocolate Brand Consumption in 2024

Hershey's asserts the top spot among the most popular chocolate brands in the United States. 57 percent of online respondents who knew the Pennsylvania-based brand said they consume it, while 56 percent said they consume Reese's. Using the idea of aided brand identification, brand awareness was measured for this study by displaying a written brand name and logo to respondents. Only brand-aware respondents were questioned about whether they had used the product.

The U.S. market for chocolate confectionery

Billion-Dollar Indulgence: The chocolate confections market in the U.S. is a sweet giant, raking in nearly $25 billion! That’s a lot of chocolate lovers indulging in their favorite treats.
Snack Attack: When it comes to chocolate sales, count lines—like those delicious chocolate bars—are the reigning champs, bringing in around $8.1 billion each year. It seems we just can’t resist grabbing a bar for a quick snack!
Chocolate Cravings Across Borders: Americans have a serious chocolate craving, importing about 615 million kilograms of chocolate and chocolate products every year. That's enough chocolate to satisfy even the most passionate chocoholic!
Homegrown Goodness: While we import a lot, American companies are also sweetening the deal by producing a ton of chocolate goodies right here at home.
Hershey’s Reign: The Hershey Company, based in Pennsylvania, is the top dog in the U.S. chocolate scene, selling an impressive $2.84 billion worth of their delicious treats annually.

Conclusion

To conclude, the US chocolate market relies heavily on imports from countries around the world, with top importers like Mars Incorporated, Hershey Company, and Mondelez International playing a crucial role in bringing delicious chocolate to American consumers as per the National Confectioners Association of the US. By exploring US chocolate import data by country, we can better understand the global supply chain of chocolate and appreciate the diverse range of chocolate products available in the US market.

To get a list of 30K+ active and verified chocolate importers in the US, contact USImportdata at info@tradeimex.in and access the latest and live US chocolate importers database.