Most confectionery imported from neighbouring countries

Most confectionery imported into the Netherlands in 2013 came from Belgium and Germany. Only 3 percent came from Spain, from where St Nicholas traditionally travels to the Netherlands with gifts of chocolate and marzipan for children to celebrate his name day on 5 December. Most sweets imported from Spain were boiled sweets and cough drops.

Confectionery imports by type

Most confectionery from Belgium and Germany

Nearly 1 billion euros worth of confectionery was imported into the Netherlands in 2013, more than 300 million kilos. Over half of this is chocolate. Belgium and Germany account for nearly 60 percent of these imports. Chocolate, bonbons and marzipan from Belgium, and chocolate, bonbons marzipan and toffees from Germany.
Chocolate imports are worth nearly 600 million euros. Most chocolate comes from Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and Italy. Only 3 million euros worth of chocolate comes from Spain. Chocolate imports rose by 13 percent in 2013 from 2012. Belgium in particular exported more to the Netherlands.

Confectionery imports by country of origin

Sweet tooth costs Dutch person 95 euros per year

Dutch consumers spent 1.6 billion euros on confectionery in 2013, just over 95 euros per person.