Confectioneries Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Chocolate, Sugar Confectionery, Gum, Cereal Bar), By Application (Supermarket, Hypermarket, E-Commerce, Other), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Confectioneries Market Overview

Global confectioneries market size is anticipated to be valued at USD 161.52 million in 2024, with a projected growth to USD 193.21 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 2%.

The global confectioneries market is defined by a vast and diversified range of products, including chocolate, sugar confectionery, chewing gum, and cereal bars, all witnessing widespread consumption. In 2024, global chocolate consumption surpassed 7.5 million metric tons, with Europe accounting for approximately 49% of this demand. The average annual per capita chocolate consumption in Switzerland reached 11.3 kilograms, reflecting deep-rooted cultural preferences. In the sugar confectionery segment, over 20,000 product variations were launched globally in the last three years, reflecting high product innovation. The cereal bar subsegment experienced a shipment volume of over 1.2 billion units in North America alone in 2023. Chewing gum consumption in Asia stood at 300,000 metric tons, with China leading at 120,000 metric tons. Emerging economies have contributed significantly to rising sales; India saw a 27% increase in sugar-based confectionery imports in 2023. Seasonal demand spikes are also notable, with holiday periods like Halloween contributing to over 35% of Q4 confectionery sales in North America. The market is supported by rising global disposable income, which surpassed $9,300 per capita in 2024, leading to increased discretionary spending on confectionery items. This highly competitive and innovation-driven market continues to evolve rapidly, catering to both premium and mass-market demand segments.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: High global consumption of chocolate and sugar-based products is driven by rising disposable income and urban snacking habits.

Top Country/Region: Europe remains dominant, with over 49% of the world’s chocolate consumption and nearly 3.6 million metric tons consumed in 2024 alone.

Top Segment: Chocolate dominates the market, contributing over 60% of global confectionery sales volume, with seasonal chocolate alone making up 28% of annual sales.

Confectioneries Market Trends

The confectioneries market has witnessed a dynamic shift in trends over the past few years, with innovation, premiumization, and health-conscious consumption reshaping product offerings. In 2024, over 4,000 new chocolate variants were introduced globally, with 35% emphasizing vegan or organic labels. This reflects a 22% year-over-year increase in plant-based confectionery introductions. Low-sugar confectionery products rose by 19% in global launches, with the U.S. market accounting for 42% of these offerings. Sugar-free chewing gum sales exceeded 550 million units in 2023, primarily driven by urban millennial consumers across Asia and North America.

Sustainability is also reshaping the market. Over 72% of consumers in Western Europe indicated in 2024 that they prefer confectionery products with sustainable packaging. This preference led to the adoption of biodegradable wrappers in more than 1,600 new products launched between 2023 and 2024. Ethical sourcing of ingredients, especially cocoa, has grown substantially; Fairtrade-certified cocoa volumes increased by 18%, reaching over 300,000 metric tons globally in 2024.

Another prominent trend includes limited-edition and region-specific flavors. Japan alone introduced over 130 limited-edition KitKat flavors by 2024, with regional preferences influencing 67% of all new product launches in Asia-Pacific. Functional confectioneries such as energy bars fortified with protein and vitamins are also gaining traction. In 2024, over 650 million functional cereal bars were sold globally, with North America contributing 45% of that volume.

Seasonal sales spikes remain a significant trend. The Easter season alone saw chocolate egg sales exceed 180 million units in Europe in 2024. Similarly, Valentine's Day-related sales contributed to over 14% of Q1 chocolate revenues in the U.S. Innovations in e-commerce are shaping purchasing behavior, with over 18% of confectionery purchases made online in 2024 compared to 11% in 2021.

Confectioneries Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for premium and artisanal chocolate offerings.

In 2024, more than 1.1 million metric tons of premium chocolate were consumed globally, representing a 26% rise from 2022. Consumers are willing to pay higher prices for dark chocolate, bean-to-bar products, and chocolates with single-origin cocoa beans. The U.S. saw a 31% increase in dark chocolate purchases, with 63% of adult consumers associating dark chocolate with health benefits. Europe contributed over 480,000 metric tons of the premium chocolate market, with Germany accounting for 34% of this volume. Artisanal brands have increased in number by 14% globally since 2022, reaching over 7,000 small-scale producers. Customization trends, including personalized packaging and tailor-made gift assortments, rose by 18% in urban retail stores across Asia-Pacific. Demand for ethical and premium chocolate also grew, with 52% of consumers in Europe preferring chocolate labeled as “ethically sourced.”

RESTRAINT

Growing health awareness reducing sugar intake.

With 27% of global consumers actively reducing sugar intake in 2024, confectionery manufacturers face reformulation challenges. The World Health Organization reports a 15% increase in national health guidelines limiting daily sugar intake across 62 countries between 2022 and 2024. In Australia, sugar consumption per capita dropped from 122g/day in 2022 to 109g/day in 2024. Consequently, demand for high-sugar gum and candy declined by 13% in the same period in Western markets. Retailers in the UK reduced shelf space allocated to traditional sweets by 9% in 2023. Furthermore, 38% of surveyed millennials globally in 2024 said they were likely to skip candy in favor of protein bars or fruit snacks.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of e-commerce confectionery channels.

Online confectionery purchases increased from 11% in 2021 to 18% in 2024 of total market transactions. In China, 22 million units of confectionery items were sold via e-commerce during the Singles’ Day shopping event in 2024 alone. The Indian market recorded a 40% year-over-year increase in digital chocolate gift boxes sold online, especially in Tier II cities. Subscription box models grew by 21%, with over 2 million active monthly subscribers receiving assorted confectionery packs globally. E-commerce enables brands to tap into personalized marketing, driving up click-through rates on chocolate ads by 37%. Direct-to-consumer sales have improved brand margins by up to 15%, prompting large players to invest in AI-driven personalization strategies.

CHALLENGE

Fluctuating raw material prices and supply chain disruptions.

Cocoa prices surged by 23% between 2023 and 2024 due to weather disruptions in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which collectively produce over 60% of global cocoa. Similarly, global sugar prices rose by 17% due to crop failures in Brazil and India. Supply chain bottlenecks, especially container shortages, delayed over 12% of candy shipments globally in 2023. Labor shortages in West Africa led to a 9% drop in cocoa bean harvesting in the fourth quarter of 2024. The cost of packaging materials like aluminum foil and plastics increased by 21% over the past 24 months. These fluctuations have led to a 14% increase in overall production costs for confectionery manufacturers, forcing price adjustments and downsizing in several product lines.

Confectioneries Market Segmentation

The confectioneries market is segmented by type and application. Product types include chocolate, sugar confectionery, gum, and cereal bars. Applications are classified across supermarkets, hypermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and other retail channels. Chocolate remains the dominant type, while supermarkets constitute the largest sales channel. Each segment contributes significantly to the volume and growth pattern of the confectionery ecosystem.

By Type

• Chocolate: Chocolate accounts for over 60% of the total confectionery volume globally. In 2024, 7.5 million metric tons of chocolate were consumed, led by Germany (870,000 metric tons) and the U.S. (780,000 metric tons). Seasonal demand such as Easter and Valentine's Day drives nearly 35% of chocolate sales. Dark chocolate sales increased by 18% globally between 2022 and 2024, reaching over 2.3 million metric tons. New product launches in chocolate exceeded 3,800 in 2023, 41% of which were plant-based or contained functional ingredients.
• Sugar Confectionery: The sugar confectionery segment accounted for approximately 3.1 million metric tons in 2024. Asia-Pacific led in volume, consuming over 950,000 metric tons. Fruit-flavored candies remain the most consumed category, representing 43% of the segment. Hard candies saw a volume increase of 12% in Latin America between 2022 and 2024. Nearly 19% of new sugar confectionery launches included added vitamins or herbal extracts.
• Gum: Chewing gum consumption stood at 780,000 metric tons in 2024, led by Asia with 340,000 metric tons. Sugar-free gum accounted for 72% of total gum consumption in Western Europe. Functional gum—infused with caffeine, vitamins, or herbal extracts—saw a 24% rise in demand globally. Japan remained a major innovation hub, launching over 300 new gum flavors in 2023 alone.
• Cereal Bar: Cereal bars reached a volume of 2.4 billion units globally in 2024. The North American region led with 1.1 billion units, 49% of which were protein-enhanced. Meal-replacement cereal bars rose by 19%, especially among health-conscious consumers in urban areas. Children's snack bars, fortified with calcium and vitamins, accounted for 15% of total category sales.

By Application

• Supermarket: Supermarkets accounted for 38% of global confectionery sales in 2024. Germany had over 19,000 supermarket outlets selling confectionery, with chocolate contributing 57% of shelf space. The average basket size increased by 11% during festive periods, with confectionery items dominating impulse sections.
• Hypermarket: Hypermarkets contributed to 26% of confectionery distribution globally. France and the UK had more than 3,200 hypermarket stores that sold confectioneries, with value packs being particularly popular. Family-sized bundles made up 32% of confectionery sold through this channel in 2024.
• E-Commerce: The e-commerce segment expanded by 23% in 2024, with over 210 million orders processed globally. Flash sales and online-only product lines represented 14% of all confectionery SKUs listed online. Personalized gifting, including name-printed chocolates, increased by 28% in online confectionery sales.
• Other: Other retail formats such as convenience stores, vending machines, and duty-free outlets accounted for 15% of total sales. Vending machine sales grew by 12% globally, with Japan leading with 5.4 million confectionery vending machines. Airport duty-free outlets contributed 6% of luxury chocolate sales in 2024.

Confectioneries Market Regional Outlook

The global confectioneries market shows regional diversification, with varying demand drivers, consumption patterns, and growth strategies based on cultural, demographic, and economic factors. Developed regions dominate in chocolate and premium goods, while emerging markets exhibit higher volume growth in sugar-based and functional items.

• North America

North America consumed over 2.4 million metric tons of confectionery in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for 82% of this. Halloween sales alone contributed to over 500 million units of individually wrapped candy. Dark chocolate demand increased by 21%, while cereal bar consumption crossed 1 billion units. Online purchases represented 19% of total confectionery sales in the U.S. by 2024.

• Europe

Europe led global chocolate consumption with over 3.6 million metric tons in 2024. Switzerland, Germany, and the UK each exceeded 10 kilograms per capita annual chocolate intake. Sugar-free candy and gum held 33% market share in Scandinavia. Premium brands in France and Belgium grew by 17% in value share over the past two years.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific’s confectionery market exceeded 3.1 million metric tons in 2024, led by China (1.2 million metric tons) and India (940,000 metric tons). Japan had the highest product diversity, with over 4,800 unique confectionery SKUs launched in 2024. Cereal bars increased 28% in India due to rising urban workforces and school-age demographics.

• Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa saw confectionery volume of 1.5 million metric tons in 2024, up from 1.1 million in 2022. Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounted for 61% of Middle Eastern consumption. Africa's urbanization rate, at 43%, is boosting demand for small-sized candy and affordable sugar-based snacks, with Nigeria alone accounting for 140,000 metric tons.

List of Top Confectioneries Market Companies

• Mars
• Mondelez International
• Nestle
• Meiji Holdings
• Ferrero Group
• Hershey Foods
• Arcor
• Perfetti Van Melle
• Haribo
• Lindt & Sprüngli
• Barry Callebaut
• Yildiz Holding
• August Storck
• General Mills
• Orion Confectionery
• Uniconf
• Lotte Confectionery
• Bourbon Corp
• Crown Confectionery
• Roshen Confectionery
• Ferrara Candy
• Orkla ASA
• Raisio Plc
• Morinaga & Co. Ltd
• Cemoi
• Jelly Belly
• Cloetta
• Ritter Sport
• Petra Foods
• Amul

Top 2 Companies by Share

Mars: Mars held a leading position in the global confectionery market with over 14% volume share in 2024. The company produced more than 1.2 million metric tons of chocolate annually. Brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Twix each exceeded annual unit sales of 800 million. Mars operates in over 80 countries and maintains 29 production facilities dedicated to confectionery, with the U.S. contributing over 35% of its sales volume.

Mondelez International: Mondelez accounted for 11.5% of total global confectionery output in 2024. The company sold over 700,000 metric tons of chocolate products and 900 million units of gum and candy. Its flagship brands Cadbury, Milka, and Trident had strong market presence in over 160 countries. Europe alone contributed 46% of Mondelez’s confectionery volume, with operations in over 15 European nations.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The confectioneries market is experiencing a surge in investment across multiple layers of the value chain, from ingredient sourcing to digital sales channels. In 2023, over 1,200 new production lines were commissioned globally, particularly for chocolate molding and candy packaging. Investments in automation increased by 29% as manufacturers sought efficiency in response to rising labor costs. For instance, a large-scale confectionery factory in the Netherlands increased productivity by 19% after installing AI-integrated packaging robots.

Private equity interest has intensified in emerging markets. In 2024 alone, over $3.2 billion worth of transactions occurred in South Asia and Africa in the confectionery manufacturing segment, representing a 35% increase over 2022. India and Nigeria received over 60% of these funds due to expanding urban middle-class consumption. In India, more than 17 new local confectionery startups attracted VC funding, leading to the introduction of 250+ new SKUs.

Sustainability-driven investment also gained momentum. Over 20 major global brands committed to using 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025. In 2024, 720 new sustainable packaging projects were initiated, with compostable wrappers reducing landfill waste by over 18,000 tons across Europe.

Digital transformation remains a hotbed for investment. E-commerce platforms have seen a 34% increase in embedded marketing tools, enabling confectionery brands to achieve 22% higher conversion rates. In the U.S., over 200 D2C (direct-to-consumer) confectionery websites were launched in 2023–2024, leading to a cumulative digital sales volume exceeding 90 million units annually.

New Product Development

New product development (NPD) is a central force in shaping the evolution of the confectioneries market, with over 8,700 new SKUs launched globally in 2023–2024. A total of 38% of these launches occurred in the chocolate category, with 24% focused on sugar confectionery and 18% on cereal bars. The rising demand for plant-based products was evident with 1,900 vegan-certified SKUs entering the market, reflecting a 21% increase compared to 2022.

A major innovation trend is the development of sugar-free alternatives. In 2024, over 2,200 new sugar-free or reduced-sugar items were introduced across global markets. Europe accounted for 46% of these products, with the UK leading at 420 SKUs. Companies are increasingly using stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit as natural sweeteners. In Japan, 120 new candies were launched using rare sugar syrup to cater to diabetic-friendly segments.

Novel flavor combinations were a highlight in 2024. Confectionery brands launched over 600 limited-edition items using exotic ingredients such as matcha, yuzu, lavender, and chili. In Latin America, guava-chili and tamarind-based sweets made up 16% of sugar candy innovations. Multi-sensory products—such as popping candy with cooling effects—were launched in over 40 countries.

Functional confectionery also surged, with 820 SKUs introduced in the functional gum and gummy segments. These included energy-boosting chews, collagen gummies, and vitamin-infused candies. In the U.S., over 23% of new functional candy products targeted the adult wellness segment. Sports-focused cereal bars with added BCAAs were launched in over 60 new variants globally.

Five Recent Developments

• Mars: launched a new plant-based Snickers bar in 2023, made with oat milk and almond paste, available in 14 countries and projected to sell over 120 million bars globally in its first year.
• Ferrero: opened a new R&D center in Italy in 2024, increasing its innovation capacity by 35%, focused on sugar-free and low-calorie confections, and testing over 400 new ingredients annually.
• Mondelez: acquired a functional snack company in 2023, expanding into the cereal bar and protein chew segment with over 70 new SKUs integrated into their global distribution network.
• Nestlé: introduced AI-based flavor customization technology in 2024, allowing consumers in Japan and France to select and generate customized chocolate bars from over 2,000 flavor profiles.
• Haribo: expanded its U.S. manufacturing facility in 2024, boosting production by 25%, and enabling annual output of over 400 million gummy packs to meet growing North American demand.

Report Coverage of Confectioneries Market

This report covers comprehensive insights into the global confectioneries market, structured across various critical metrics and strategic lenses. The analysis includes quantitative figures representing consumption volume, per capita intake, product launches, regional shares, and market segmentation across both type and application levels. In 2024, total global confectionery consumption exceeded 13.8 million metric tons, with chocolate alone contributing 7.5 million metric tons. The segmentation includes detailed breakdowns across chocolate, sugar confectionery, gum, and cereal bars, each with precise volume data and regional preferences.

By application, the report includes supermarket, hypermarket, e-commerce, and other retail channels, each documented with facts such as unit volume, purchasing trends, and emerging retail behavior. For instance, over 210 million online confectionery purchases were recorded in 2024, showcasing the shift toward digital shopping preferences.

The report also features in-depth regional analysis, covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. With Europe consuming over 3.6 million metric tons and Asia-Pacific accounting for 3.1 million metric tons, each region is assessed for consumption patterns, product innovation, and packaging strategies. Additionally, emerging market contributions, such as India’s 27% increase in sugar imports or Nigeria’s 140,000 metric ton candy market, are thoroughly documented.

Frequently Asked Questions