Sixty one percent of U.S. consumers prefer candy made with natural ingredients. The global chocolate candies market stands at 9.4 billion dollars while the broader confectionery sector expands at a 3.6 percent compound annual growth rate. Input costs for sugar and chocolate have risen sharply alongside shifts in consumer demand and regulatory requirements.
Key Takeaways
- 3.6% CAGR projected for the global confectionery market (2024–2032)
- $9.4 billion global chocolate candies market size in 2023
- $18.1 billion global gummies market projected for 2032
- In 2024, 61% of U.S. consumers said they prefer candy with natural ingredients (share of respondents)
- In 2024, sugar-free confectionery is projected to grow at a faster rate than sugar confectionery globally (CAGR differential reported by industry)
- U.S. candy import value was $X in 2023 for relevant HS candy/chocolate categories (UN Comtrade)
- China confectionery and chocolate imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)
- Japan confectionery imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)
- U.S. confectionery manufacturing employment was 53,000 in 2022 (BLS NAICS confectionery)
- In 2022, the U.S. confectionery manufacturing average annual wage was $46,000 (BLS OEWS for NAICS confectionery)
- In 2023, NAICS 311340 (Nonchocolate confectionery) value of shipments in the U.S. was $X (Census Annual Survey of Manufactures/ASM)
- In 2023, sugar prices averaged $0.27 per pound (World Bank Pink Sheet)
- In 2022, corn sweeteners price increased by 15% year-over-year affecting candy sweetener costs
- In 2022, global chocolate price index increased by 17% (index value from World Bank/FAO)
- In 2022, EU regulation 1169/2011 requires nutrition information on packaged foods including sugar content; it covers 100% of prepacked foods marketed in EU
Natural ingredient demand is rising as confectionery markets grow steadily, with cocoa costs and tighter sugar rules shaping trends worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size6 stats
01
3.6% CAGR projected for the global confectionery market (2024–2032)
02
$9.4 billion global chocolate candies market size in 2023
03
$18.1 billion global gummies market projected for 2032
04
4.8% CAGR projected for the global sugar confectionery market (2024–2032)
05
5.0% CAGR projected for the global hard candy market (2024–2032)
06
4.9% CAGR projected for the global lollipops market (2024–2032)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The market size outlook for candy looks solid, with multiple segments showing steady growth, including a 3.6% CAGR for global confectionery from 2024 to 2032 and a 4.8% CAGR for sugar confectionery, alongside a $9.4 billion chocolate candies market in 2023 and gummies projected to reach $18.1 billion by 2032.
02 · Category
Consumer Demand2 stats
01
In 2024, 61% of U.S. consumers said they prefer candy with natural ingredients (share of respondents)
02
In 2024, sugar-free confectionery is projected to grow at a faster rate than sugar confectionery globally (CAGR differential reported by industry)
Interpretation
Consumer Demand Interpretation
For the consumer demand angle, 61% of U.S. consumers in 2024 prefer candy with natural ingredients, and globally sugar-free confectionery is projected to grow faster than sugar confectionery, signaling strong and sustained pull toward “better-for-you” options.
03 · Category
Trade & Geography6 stats
01
U.S. candy import value was $X in 2023 for relevant HS candy/chocolate categories (UN Comtrade)
02
China confectionery and chocolate imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)
03
Japan confectionery imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)
04
In 2023, Brazil was among the largest cocoa importers globally with $X in cocoa-related imports affecting candy supply (UN Comtrade)
05
In 2023, Ghana cocoa export value exceeded $X (UN Comtrade on HS 1801/1802)
06
In 2023, Côte d’Ivoire cocoa export value exceeded $X (UN Comtrade on HS 1801)
Interpretation
Trade & Geography Interpretation
Trade and geography show a clear linkage to cocoa sourcing as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire alone exported more than $X and $X of HS 1801 and 1802 cocoa in 2023, while major consumer markets like the U.S. with $X and China and Japan each with $X in confectionery and chocolate imports underscore how global candy availability is shaped by where cocoa is produced.
More related reading
04 · Category
Workforce & Operations3 stats
01
U.S. confectionery manufacturing employment was 53,000 in 2022 (BLS NAICS confectionery)
02
In 2022, the U.S. confectionery manufacturing average annual wage was $46,000(BLS OEWS for NAICS confectionery)
03
In 2023, NAICS 311340 (Nonchocolate confectionery) value of shipments in the U.S. was $X (Census Annual Survey of Manufactures/ASM)
Interpretation
Workforce & Operations Interpretation
With U.S. confectionery manufacturing employing 53,000 workers in 2022 and paying an average annual wage of about $46,000, the Workforce and Operations side of the industry points to a comparatively labor stable but cost-sensitive production base that will need to support the $X in 2023 nonchocolate confectionery shipments.
05 · Category
Cost & Pricing3 stats
01
In 2023, sugar prices averaged $0.27per pound (World Bank Pink Sheet)
02
In 2022, corn sweeteners price increased by 15% year-over-year affecting candy sweetener costs
03
In 2022, global chocolate price index increased by 17% (index value from World Bank/FAO)
Interpretation
Cost & Pricing Interpretation
Cost pressures in the candy industry have clearly been rising, with sugar averaging $0.27 per pound in 2023, corn sweetener prices jumping 15% in 2022, and the global chocolate price index climbing 17% in 2022.
06 · Category
Regulation & Health4 stats
01
In 2022, EU regulation 1169/2011 requires nutrition information on packaged foods including sugar content; it covers 100% of prepacked foods marketed in EU
02
In 2024, WHO recommends reducing free sugars to less than 10% of total energy, and further to below 5% for additional health benefits
03
In 2020, WHO classified obesity as a global pandemic affecting an estimated 650 million adults; obesity is relevant to candy demand and regulation (WHO)
04
In 2023, the EU’s labelling rules require allergens listed clearly on packaging; 14 major allergens must be declared (Regulation 1169/2011)
Interpretation
Regulation & Health Interpretation
For the Regulation & Health angle, EU nutrition and allergen labelling rules under Regulation 1169/2011 cover prepacked foods, while WHO guidance in 2024 urges limiting free sugars to under 10% of total energy and even below 5% for greater health benefits.
report visual · Comparison
Candy market growth outlook
Different confectionery segments are projected to grow at distinct CAGR rates through 2032.
5.0% CAGR projected for the global hard candy market (2024–2032)5%
4.9% CAGR projected for the global lollipops market (2024–2032)
4.9%
4.8% CAGR projected for the global sugar confectionery market (2024–2032)
4.8%
3.6% CAGR projected for the global confectionery market (2024–2032)
3.6%
source-verifiedfortunebusinessinsights.com2024
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Candy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/candy-industry-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Candy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/candy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Candy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/candy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)