Germany’s chocolate Santa Clauses enjoy export boom

Results of a survey by the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) among its member companies revealed that 169 million chocolate Santa Clauses have been produced - compared to the previous year, this is an increase of 5.6%.

The reasons for this are higher orders from food retailers and growth in export business, the BDSI said.

"In difficult and uncertain political times, it is clear that confectionery is one of the little pleasures of everyday life. This applies in particular to the popular chocolate Santa Clauses, which bring a lot of joy on the upcoming St. Nicholas Day and Christmas​,” said Dr Carsten Bernoth, General Manager of the BDSI.

Approximately two-thirds (about 109 million) of the chocolate Santa Clauses and Santa Clauses produced in Germany have been delivered to the country’s food retailers, department stores and specialist retailers in recent weeks. Roughly a third (around 60 million) of the chocolate Santa Clauses made in Germany are exported, not only to neighbouring European countries but also to Great Britain, USA, Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The BDSI also said vegan variants of the popular festive chocolate have been popular this year.