International sweet tooth: Israel exported $10m. worth of chocolate in 2015

The Economy Ministry said that the demand for chocolate in eastern Asia has tripled in the past few years.

By MICHELLE MALKA GROSSMAN
Chocolate (illustrative) (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Chocolate (illustrative)
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Valentine’s Day is coming up and those outside of Israel might be wondering what to get their kosher-keeping cuties – or at the very least, their sweetheart who is simply pining for a Pesek Zman chocolate bar. In its 2015 chocolate export report, the Economy Ministry said 28 Israeli companies exported $10 million worth of their sweet goods to 42 countries, including Egypt, South Korea and Angola.
The largest single destination for Israeli chocolate, according to the ministry, was the United States, which imported $5m. worth. Compare that with its northern neighbor, Canada, which only imported $88,000 worth of Israeli chocolate.
South America’s biggest markets for Israeli chocolate were Argentina, which imported $15,000 and Brazil, at $11,000.
Over in Europe, the United Kingdom imported $1,152,000 worth of Israeli chocolate, followed by France with $601,000 and Russia with $157,000.
Belgium, though known for its own chocolate, imported $105,000 worth of the Israeli variety. The ministry said that in Europe, most Israeli chocolate heads to kosher markets and grocery stores.
Asian countries imported $618,000 worth of Israeli chocolate. A majority went to Japan, but a sizable $66,000 was exported to South Korea.
The ministry said that the demand for chocolate in eastern Asia has tripled in the past few years.