Belgium exported the second-most chocolate and chocolate bars of the EU member states in 2019, according to figures shared by Eurostat on 7 July, World Chocolate Day.
Last year, EU member states exported a total of 2.2 million tonnes of chocolate and chocolate bars, of which 66% went to other EU member states.
With 300,000 tonnes (14% of all EU chocolate exports), Belgium only exported less chocolate than Germany, which was responsible for 640,000 tonnes (30%).
The Netherlands came in third with 290,000 tonnes (13%), followed by Poland with 230,000 tonnes (10%) and Italy with 180,000 (8%).
Together, these five countries are responsible for three-quarters of all chocolate and chocolate bars exported by the EU.
In turn, 220,000 tonnes of chocolate and chocolate bars were imported by the EU member states from non-EU countries. Of the total, 100,000 tonnes came from the United Kingdom, and 70,000 from Switzerland.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
