Taking data from 11 member companies that processes cocoa beans, a total of 93,064 tonnes of cocoa was ground and the figures are an indication of the increased demand from the industry that are almost back to pre-COVID levels.
Germany's cocoa grindings in 2020 fell 8.4% and in the first quarter of 2021 the grind had dropped 8.1% on the year because of the general impact of the pandemic and lockdowns.
The ending of lockdowns, reopening of retailing and restaurants plus the resumption of some events had helped confectionery demand, a spokesperson for the association said.
"Hopefully we are on the way back to normality," she said.
Latest grind figures released by Brussels-based European Cocoa Association showed an increase of 13.6% from a year earlier to 356,854 tonnes.
