Saudi Arabia’s cocoa and chocolate manufacturing sector is gaining momentum, with the number of active commercial registrations reaching 3,532 by the end of June, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The Riyadh region led with 1,490 registrations, followed by Makkah with 909, the Eastern Province with 416, Al-Qassim with 213, and Madinah with 149.

A report by market research firm Mordor Intelligence notes that the Kingdom has increasingly adopted advanced manufacturing technologies and sustainable practices in response to growing demand for premium chocolate products.

As of 2023, Saudi Arabia had more than 1,000 chocolate production facilities, with Riyadh alone accounting for 35 percent of them. This strong manufacturing base now enables the Kingdom to produce about half of its chocolate domestically, reducing reliance on imports while maintaining high-quality standards.

The Saudi chocolate market is projected to reach $1.23 billion in 2025 and grow to $1.53 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, according to Mordor Intelligence. The report also highlights the influence of the country’s youthful population—more than half of whom were under the age of 25 in 2023—on consumption patterns.

Rising affluence and changing preferences are driving higher spending, with per capita chocolate expenditure reaching $41 in 2023, ten times the Middle East average. In 2022, more than 66 percent of Saudi consumers said they were willing to pay more for premium products.

This shift toward premiumization is prompting local producers to introduce more refined product lines, featuring upscale packaging and innovative flavors.

Globally, the chocolate industry is experiencing a similar transformation, particularly in mature markets where growing consumer sophistication is driving innovation.

Europe remains a major player, processing 35 percent of the world’s cacao and consuming 45 percent of global chocolate output in 2022. Switzerland led in per capita consumption that year with 11 kilograms, setting a global benchmark for premium chocolate.

With rising global demand, driven by increased consumption and a strong gifting culture, Europe continues to lead, accounting for nearly 48 percent of worldwide chocolate consumption.