Mild weather dents demand for Germany's chocolate Santas

German confectioners produced around 167 million chocolate Santas this year - 1% less than in the previous year - as the nation's sweet tooth responded to warmer weather before Christmas, reported dpa.

Unseasonably mild weather in October, coupled with inflation, had dampened sales, according to the Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI).

Despite this, the umbrella group expressed confidence about the upcoming holiday season.

"In difficult and uncertain times, it shows that confectionery is one of the small pleasures of everyday life," BDSI head Carsten Bernoth said on Friday.

"This applies in particular to the popular chocolate Santas," he added.

Almost two thirds of chocolate Santas have already been delivered to German food retailers, department stores and specialist retailers, while more than a third have been exported abroad.