VBZ is the Association of the Dutch Sugar Confectionery, Biscuits, Chocolate and Savoury Snacks Industry.
VBZ represents the economic interests of approximately 110 small, medium-sized and large member companies in the Dutch confectionery industry, representing over 90% of sector sales in the Netherlands. About 97% of its members are SMEs. The sector employs approximately 15,000 people.
VBZ is the representative of the confectionery industry's interests vis-à-vis politicians and public authorities at national, European, and at international level. Furthermore, the trade association is the spokesperson of the Dutch confectionery industry as regards the general public and the media. Next to that, it acts as a service provider, information broker, and problem solver for its members.
VBZ covers the following product groups:
- Chocolate Products
- Fine Bakery Wares
- Boiled Sweets and Sugar Confectionery
- Snack Products*
- Chewing Gum
*The product group Snacks covers savoury, spicy, and nut-based products. Examples are potato and vegetable crisps, peanuts flips, various nuts (peanuts and gourmet nuts), and nut mixes. The group also includes salt-based, cheese-based, and lye-dough pastries.
Relevant partner organizations:
Data insights into the industry
Based on data analysis, VBZ has identified several interesting trends for the Netherlands in the period 2015-2020. This includes both production numbers and consumer sales as well as the import and export of sugar confectionery, biscuits, chocolate and savoury snacks. Developments in the field of obesity in relation to the consumption of the aforementioned products were also examined. The Netherlands is in the top 5 of in terms of sugar confectionery, biscuits and chocolate producing EU countries. A large part of these products is exported.
Please have a look at the data analysis publication.