The German confectionery industry has revealed it has produced approximately 160 million chocolate Santa Clauses this year for the festive season.
A new survey by the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) said that compared to the previous year, the figure is an increase of 5%.
It said the reason for the increase are higher orders from the food retail trade and growth in the export business.
“In difficult and uncertain times, it becomes clear that confectionery is one of the little joys of everyday life. This applies in particular to the popular chocolate Santa Clauses, who, despite the existing contact restrictions, give a lot of joy on the upcoming St Nicholas Day and Christmas,” said Dr Carsten Bernoth, General Manager of the BDSI.
Approximately two thirds (103 million) of the chocolate Santa Clauses produced in Germany have been delivered to German grocery stores, department stores and specialist retailers in the past few weeks.
A third (approximately 57 million) of the chocolate Santa Clauses produced in Germany are exported, not only to other European countries, but also the USA, Canada and Australia.
The BDSI said that German chocolate Santa Clauses are particularly popular in France, Austria and Great Britain.
Vegan alternatives of the festive chocolate are also proving popular with consumers this year, the BDSI said.