Chocolate in China: Why innovation beyond confectionery may help close consumption gap Chocolate consumption in China still lags behind its neighbours in the confectionery category, but it is increasingly finding flavour through innovation in local cuisine – including steamed buns and even rice.
According to the Association of Chinese Chocolate Manufacturers, China’s per capita consumption is 70g every year. Japan and South Korea consume about 2kg, while in Europe, the average chocolate consumption is 7kg per person per year.
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For most Chinese consumers, chocolate is not a daily necessity, we can live without it. But one trend we see is chocolate flavours incorporated into local foods,” George Zhang, managing director for Barry Callebaut China told