The US tripled its chocolate imports from Russia

In the first 11 months of last year, the United States tripled its purchase of Russian cocoa products, mainly chocolate, to a three-year high, according to data from the US Statistical Service.

In the period January-November 2024, the US bought nearly $2.5 million worth of cocoa and cocoa products from Russia – three times more than in the same period a year earlier. This is the largest volume of purchases for 11 months since 2021.

November purchases were also a record: during this month, Americans bought Russian cocoa for 389 thousand dollars, which is the maximum since January 2022. Imports increased by 1 percent during the month, and by 2.1 times during the year.

The United States mainly buys chocolate and other finished food products containing cocoa from Russia, such as chocolate candies. Cocoa powder without sweeteners is also occasionally imported in small quantities.

At the same time, in November, after a sharp increase the previous month, the US slightly reduced its purchases of chocolate and sweets, while increasing its purchases of powder. In November, deliveries of chocolate from Russia to the USA amounted to 376 thousand dollars, compared to 381 thousand in October, cocoa powder – 12.7 thousand dollars, compared to 3.7 thousand in October. And according to the results for 11 months, the import of chocolate and cocoa powder amounted to 2.48 million and 18.8 thousand dollars, respectively.