As tastes change, Bruyerre export sales manager Bruno Lescut suggests that the tough economic climate is having an effect on the higher end of the chocolate market.

“Luxurious products are the first to suffer,” he says.

Lescut explains that Bruyerre has had to adapt its offering as a result — a tack which has so far proven successful.

“Our key trend is to stay unique and innovative; we have in our range different chocolate products to take up the challenge, like chocolate roses or chocolate cigars,” he adds.

The cost of raw ingredients has also had a knock-on effect for suppliers, as Giles and Posner’s Giles points out.

“The price of chocolate and chocolate items has increased; the main reason behind this is that a lot of the individual raw ingredients are more expensive, in particular sugar and cocoa.

“Sales have slowed down slightly in the Middle East, but it still contributes a lucrative aspect of our business,” he notes.

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Trendy chocolates

According to Bruyerre’s Lescut, one growing trend in the market is the demand for designer chocolates, as the confectionary moves into a realm more commonly associated with food trends like nouvelle cuisine.

“Coloured chocolate products are very fashionable from a decorative point of view and fillings such as those with a fruity taste or a high percentage of cocoa from a tasting point of view,” he asserts. “I think that the chocolate manufacturers able to adapt their offerings quickly in terms of taste, packaging and price will be very successful.”

With regards to the Middle East’s standing as a recognised destination in the chocolate world, the consensus appears to be that it is lagging somewhat behind the established chocolate nations.

Swiss International Chocolates’ Hutmacher notes: “The European market has many more established chocolatiers — so many Europeans have grown up with a good knowledge of chocolate. So Europeans in this region look for the same quality and products.”

But companies looking to be successful in the region also have to cater to the preferences of the local population. Swiss International Chocolates, for example, has devised a range to cater to local tastes, as it aims to capitalise on the growing awareness of quality chocolate in the region.

“We have tailored the Taste of Arabia range for this clientele,” he explains. “We have taken local products and transformed them, using the Swiss way, to make them fit into the local market.

“We are intent on using local products — we have a chocolate that uses a date specifically from Ras Al Khaimah and the coffee chocolate piece is made using Yemeni Arabica coffee beans and cardamom.”

Alongside designer chocolates and region-specific confectionary products, healthy chocolate is beginning to take off in the region, as consumers look to indulge without the side-effects.