Chocolate Confectionery Market Research, 2035
The global chocolate confectionery market size was valued at $87.5 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $146.1 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2024 to 2035. Chocolate confectionery is a chocolate-based delicacy that may also incorporate layering or combinations of nuts, fruit, caramel, nougat, and wafers. Chocolate confections are available in different shapes and forms. There are several chocolate confectionery brands available. A prominent example is a Snickers bar, which is made of nougat, caramel, and peanuts, and wrapped in milk chocolate.
MARKET DYNAMICS
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the chocolate confectionery market as many countries have considered chocolate confectionery as a non-essential item during the crisis of the pandemic. Actions by governments affected customers as they were unable to purchase items during the government-mandated closure, thus affecting customer demand for these products. Furthermore, limits on the functioning of restaurants, bars, and geographically specialized sales channels, government-enacted stay-at-home directives have significantly limited end-consumers' ability to buy confectioneries in the U.S. and other markets. On the other hand, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) in 2021, cocoa production in Asia-Pacific had a dip of -10.6%.
Key factors for market growth include innovation, processing, and packaging. Factors such as customer health awareness, consciousness, and varying consumer eating habits and tastes drive innovation. In addition, it fulfills evolving customer preferences, and manufacturers expand their product line by integrating useful ingredients, organic herbal fillings, tropical fruit, and nut-based & exotic tastes in product formulations. Innovative packaging tactics, such as appealing jars, family-sized packs, resealable packaging, and advertising increase product sales and raise awareness. Divine Chocolate, for instance, released new branding in 2021, with vibrant new packaging and a forceful call to action to help prevent abuse in the cocoa industry. To express Divine Chocolate's collaboration with farm owners, its new design shows a distinctive handshake encircled by the slogan "Every bar directly benefits the lives of farmers." The introduction of various packaging and promotional activities provides a chocolate confectionery opportunity for global growth and development.
Following the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there has been a significant consumer shift toward veganism, with a 500% increase in veganism discovered when compared to 2014. Veganism is practiced by up to 6% of the US population, up from 1% in 2014. Furthermore, over 500,000 people signed up for the vegan challenge in 2021, which is 25% more than the challenge in 2020. There will only be 400,000 participants in 2020. Moreover, retail sales of plant-based food in the U.S. have increased at a promising rate over the last three years. This demonstrates that the consumer shift toward plant-based or vegan products is increasing and will continue to be positive in the future. As a result, demand for vegan chocolate confectionery will rise in the future as more people are willing to experience the taste of vegan or plant-based confectionery, which is propelling the market growth. Furthermore, key players are entering the vegan market and introducing vegan products. For instance, The Hershey Company introduced a new line of vegan chocolates in 2021 to cater to the growing vegan population.
The expansion of sales channels is a significant element contributing to the chocolate confectionery market growth, and one of them is the online retail platform, which is also the fastest-growing category. Many retail companies are currently operating web-based retail shops where shoppers can learn more about businesses and their items. The availability of different product selections and price comparisons on internet platforms is also increasing the number of people who purchase online. This is advantageous to major players since it eliminates the need for physical outlets or stores while also allowing buyers to read reviews offered by other users and compare various stores, goods, and prices of different vendors for the specific candy. Amazon.com and Flipkart.com are two major online merchants in the chocolate candy business. Furthermore, in addition to sales channels, product availability is increasing in convenience stores and local shops in small towns, propelling chocolate confectionery market expansion.
SEGMENTAL OVERVIEW
The chocolate confectionery market is segmented on the basis of product type, price point, age group, distribution channel, and region. Depending on product type, the market is classified into dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. By price point, it is segregated into the economy, mid-range, and luxury. Depending on age group, it is segregated into children, adult, and geriatric. By distribution channel, it is categorized into supermarkets/ hypermarkets, convenience stores, pharmaceuticals & drug stores, specialty stores, duty-free stores, e-commerce, and others. Region-wise, it is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and rest of LAMEA).
BY PRODUCT TYPE
Based on product type, the milk chocolate segment gained a major share in the global market in 2023 and is expected to sustain its market share during the forecast period as Milk chocolate is the most popular type of chocolate in the world. Milk chocolate melts faster than dark or white chocolate and has a lighter hue and creamier texture. Milk chocolate is a sort of solid chocolate that is made with pure milk or milk available in different forms, including powdered milk, liquid milk, and condensed milk. Worldwide, milk chocolate is offered in several formats, including boxes, countlines, molded bars, seasonal chocolates, straight lines, and others. Customers' taste preferences are changing; thus, consumers are indulging to spend on decadent things developed with new concepts and healthy components.
BY PRICE POINT
According to the chocolate confectionery market size, on the basis of price point, the economy segment gained a major share in the global market in 2023, and is expected to sustain its market share during the forecast period. The economy segment is the most popular price point. In most markets, value is a trending topic. In the U.S., for instance, around 79% of confectionery customers search for a good deal when purchasing chocolate. The value component is especially important in developing nations. In Western countries such as the UK and the U.S., a bar of chocolate (45 grams) accounted for much less than 1% of the weekly shopping budget, whereas in India, the same bar accounted for 18% of the weekly food allocation. Despite rising discretionary income in both developing and developed countries, a sizable proportion of buyers continue to choose the cheapest choice on the chocolate confectionery market. As a result, the bulk of confectionery items appeal to huge populations in the economy sector.
BY AGE GROUP
On the basis of the age group, the adult segment gained a major share in the global chocolate confectionery market in 2023 and is expected to sustain its market share during the forecast period. The adult segment is the most popular age group as adults prefer to experience and taste different types of chocolate confectionery products available. The latest trend in the confectionery industry for adults includes clean labels and functional ingredients. Furthermore, local & authentic sourcing of ingredients and the use of trendy ingredients (such as quinoa in chocolate candy) are used by chocolate confectionery manufacturers as a means to attract adults' attention. Furthermore, the availability of sugar-free chocolate has gained greater significance in the industry, owing to health concerns over snacking calories and sugar consumption. Therefore, chocolate marketers are not only innovating fun and flavorful products but also modernizing them with non-caloric sweeteners to encourage adults to go for the confectionery products.
BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL
On the basis of distribution channel, the supermarkets/hypermarkets segment accounted for around 40% of the global market share in 2023 and is expected to sustain its share during the forecast period. Supermarkets/hypermarkets offer a convenient experience of diverse shopping under a single roof to consumers. Supermarkets/hypermarkets provide consumers with a premium advantage, i.e., higher availability of chocolate confectionery products at discounts, the assistance of sales representatives, and easy checkouts. These advantages are expected to drive the growth of supermarkets/hypermarkets during the forecast period.
BY REGION
On the basis of the region, Europe dominated the chocolate confectionery industry in 2023 and is expected to remain dominant during the chocolate confectionery market forecast period. The dominance is largely attributed to deep product knowledge among consumers and an increase in the consumption of different types of chocolate confectionery by the local population. Due to the growing popularity of premium chocolates and handmade artisan confectionery, chocolate confectionery is in great demand throughout Europe. The surge in chocolate confectionery market demand in Europe can be ascribed to changes in lifestyle and a greater desire to sample distinctive chocolate sweets. Europe is a major consumer of chocolate confectionery items. Furthermore, the trend of giving confectionery items, such as personalized chocolates, chocolate bouquets, exotic flavored chocolates, and others, has aided in propelling the growth of the European market. Chocolate manufacturers in Europe are always developing new engagement strategies to attract customer attention since chocolate and confectionery items are frequently purchased on impulse.
COMPETITION ANALYSIS
Players operating in the global chocolate confectionery industry have adopted various developmental strategies to expand their chocolate confectionery market share, increase profitability, and remain competitive in the chocolate confectionery market. Key players profiled in this report include Barry Callebaut, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Delfi Limited, Ferrero International S.A, Lotte Corporation, Mars, Incorporated, Mondelez International, Inc, Nestle S.A, Perfetti Van Melle, and The Hershey Company.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
- This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the chocolate confectionery market analysis from 2023 to 2035 to identify the prevailing chocolate confectionery market opportunities.
- The chocolate confectionery market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
- Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
- In-depth analysis of the chocolate confectionery market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
- Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
- Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
- The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global chocolate confectionery market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.
Chocolate Confectionery Market Report Highlights
| Aspects | Details |
 Market Size By 2035 | USD 146.1 billion |
 Growth Rate | CAGR of 4.1% |
 Forecast period | 2023 - 2035 |
 Report Pages | 250 |
 By Product Type |
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 By Price point |
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 By Age Group |
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 By Distribution channel |
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 By Region |
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 Key Market Players | Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprüngli AG, MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL, INC., Delfi Limited, The Hershey Company, Perfetti Van Melle, Ferrero International S.A, Barry Callebaut, Nestle S.A., Mars Incorporated, Lotte Corporation |
Analyst Review
According to CXOs of leading companies, the chocolate confectionery industry is mature and countercyclical in nature as confectionery products are perceived as affordable luxuries. The industry is growing globally as multinational confectionery companies are offering sophisticated yet affordable products for middle-class consumers. Product innovation, strong marketing campaigns, and retail market expansion drive the development of the confectionery market.
Health awareness & consciousness among customers and diverse consumer eating habits & tastes further fuel market growth. Consumer preferences in the chocolate confectionary market are shifting toward dark chocolate in comparison to milk varieties as dark chocolate is related to health benefits. With the availability of clean-label products, consumers are aware of ingredients used in the manufacturing of confectionery, which boosts sales of the product.
Manufacturers focus on the development of functional & organic products and sugar-free variants to boost value sales and deliver products that support health and wellness. Economic growth and rise in disposable income drive growth of the chocolate confectionery market in emerging economies such as India and China. The primary reasons driving the chocolate confectionery market in emerging nations include an increase in rural penetration of a wide variety of chocolate confectionery items, the availability of a diversified product range, and an increase in population.
The chocolate confectionery market size was valued at $87.5 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $146.1 billion by 2035
The global chocolate confectionery market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1% from 2024 to 2035
Barry Callebaut, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Delfi Limited, Ferrero International S.A, Lotte Corporation, Mars, Incorporated, Mondelez International, Inc, Nestle S.A, Perfetti Van Melle, and The Hershey Company
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