The Dubai chocolate hype is over: What does that mean for Ravensburg?

The Dubai chocolate hype is over: What does that mean for Ravensburg?

The world of chocolate is currently experiencing a noticeable change and Dubai chocolate, once on everyone's lips, now seems to be on the decline. A current article on Schwäbische.de reports that the hype surrounding this special chocolate, which consists of whole milk, pistachio cream, sesame butter and the mysterious angel hair, has waned significantly. The crowds that once waited in front of the stores for the products have now disappeared.

Psychologist Rüdiger Maas observed that the peak of the hype was in November and December 2024, followed by an abrupt drop in demand at the turn of the year. Chocolatier Benedict Weiss revealed that production of his Dubai chocolate has been reduced from daily to just every few weeks. Despite the now reduced demand, he plans to continue experimenting with new varieties. Rüdiger Maas thinks angel hair may be the key to a new trend.

The story of Dubai chocolate

Originally created by British-Egyptian engineer Sarah Hamouda and Filipino culinary consultant Nouel Catis Omamalin, the idea originated during Hamouda's pregnancy. The first products were created in 2021 and quickly became popular on social media, especially on TikTok. The chocolate bars' filling, which ranges from a mix of finely ground to a paste, combines the creamy texture of pistachios with the crunch of kadayif, a chopped phyllo dough.

Among the challenges facing Dubai chocolate is a flooding of the market by similar products from other manufacturers. Lindt, for example, released a limited edition “Dub Egg” for Easter 2024, but there was a lack of expected demand. The price increase in the cocoa market, which rose by 14.6% in December 2024 compared to the previous year, does not make the situation any easier.

The market development

An analysis of the global cocoa and chocolate market shows that it is estimated to be worth $0.11 billion in 2024. Further growth to around USD 0.18 billion is forecast in the following years. In terms of market share, North America currently has a 30% share, while the Asia Pacific region is on the rise at 35%. Milk chocolate remains the most popular variety - a true classic among sweets.

• Marktanteile 2024:
  • Nordamerika: 30% (0,033 Mrd. USD)
  • Asien-Pazifik: 35% (0,0385 Mrd. USD)
  • Europa: 25% (0,0275 Mrd. USD)
  • Rest der Welt: 10% (0,011 Mrd. USD)
• Produktsegmente 2024:
  • Dunkle Schokolade: 40% (0,044 Mrd. USD)
  • Milchschokolade: 30% (0,033 Mrd. USD)
  • Gefüllte Schokolade: 20% (0,022 Mrd. USD)
  • Weiße Schokolade: 10% (0,011 Mrd. USD)

With the ever-increasing interest in high-quality, handcrafted chocolates, new trends are not far away. Chocolatiers are constantly finding new ingredients and techniques to compete in this competitive market, while at the same time the challenges of rising raw material prices and sustainability issues remain.

All in all, the signs for Dubai chocolate seem to be on the decline for the time being. It remains to be seen whether angel hair is truly the start of a new craze or whether chocolate lovers will be looking for new flavors.

Further details on the current developments surrounding the popular Dubai chocolate can be found in the detailed reports Schwäbische.de, Wikipedia and Business Research Insights.