Here are some interesting chocolate facts that you had no idea about

Chocolate is one of the most loved food item across lands and as we prepare to celebrate World Chocolate Day on July 7, let’s take a look at some facts and numbers on the widely craved comfort food. Here's a simple fact to begin with: 50% of the world’s chocolate retail sales occur on the European continent.

In 2017, Switzerland was the highest consumer of chocolate per capita, with an average of 8.8 kg consumed per person. The average Brit, Swiss or German citizen will each eat around 24 pounds of chocolate a year. This means that they eat about as much chocolate every year as seafood.

The US accounts for 20% of the world’s chocolate consumption. It is the world leader at 20.96% of the net cocoa imports.

Women prefer to eat chocolate more than men. While preference among women stands at 91%, for men it is 87%.

On the average Valentine’s Day, nearly $400 million of chocolate is purchased around the world, accounting for 5% of the industry’s total sales.

Despite producing most of the world’s cocoa, Africans only account for 3.28% of the chocolate that is consumed annually.