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Interactive Map: Top 20 chocolate consuming nations of 2012

By Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Who eats the most chocolate?
Who eats the most chocolate?

Related tags Bric Russia

Which nations had the highest chocolate consumption per capita in 2012?

Using data provided by Leatherhead Food Research, we have mapped the top 20 countries who ate the most chocolate last year.

The bulk of countries are based in Europe with Switzerland - home to Nestlé and Lindt - playing host to the world's biggest indulgers.

Each Swiss person ate an average of 11.9 kg per capita in 2012. A regular chocolate bar is around 40-45 g, which means that each person consumed almost 240 bars over the course of the year.

Ireland was the next biggest consumer with an average consumption of 9.9 kg per person.

The only developing BRIC market in the top 20 is Russia, but it eats its fair share and on 5.9 kg per capita, the Russians ate more chocolate than the average American (5.5 kg) last year.

The most populace nation to feature in the top 20 was the US followed by Russia, Germany and France.

The majority of top 20 countries have a large middle class population with higher disposable incomes than much of the developing world, enabling them to indulgence on luxuries like chocolate.

Table: Top 20 chocolate consuming nations

BRIC comparison

Most developing BRIC markets have lower consumption levels than countries in Western Europe and North America.

Confectioners are drawn to these countries for their huge growth potential. For example, China and India may only consume 1.2 kg and 700 g per of chocolate person each year currently, but as both nations' gross domestic profit (GDP) continues to grow, consumer incomes rise and create huge prospects for chocolate companies.

*Per Capita chocolate consumption data comes courtesy of Leatherhead Food Research with the exception of India and China figures, which come from Mintel and Rabobank respectively. GDP data was sourced from the World Bank.

Related topics Markets Chocolate Emerging Markets

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