South Korea - Chocolate and candy import scale 7th year new record
In 2016 chocolate imports totaled $ 220 million in South Korea, up 4.3 percent from a year ago and sales increased 9 percent to $ 337 million by overseas direct purchase, increased by 51%.
Candy imports totaled $ 153 million, an increase of 16.1% over the previous year.
Last year, imports of chocolate and sugarcane imported 64,000 tons, up 10.5% from the previous year. Chocolate and sugarcane imports have recorded record highs every year from 2010 to 2016. In particular, import growth has been steep by overseas direct purchase. Last year, the volume of chocolate and candy imports using Internet e-commerce was $ 12 million, up 51.2% from the previous year. The first country of chocolate imported to Korea last year was the United States accounted for 17.4% of total chocolate imports, followed by Italy (12.5%), China (12.3%) and Belgium (10.3%).
Source: National Customs Service