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)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/confectionery-market-100152
02
$9.4 billion global chocolate candies market size in 2023https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/dark-chocolate-market-100152
03
$18.1 billion global gummies market projected for 2032https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/gummies-market-100156
04
4.8% CAGR projected for the global sugar confectionery market (2024–2032)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/sugar-confectionery-market-101071
05
5.0% CAGR projected for the global hard candy market (2024–2032)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/hard-candy-market-101070
06
4.9% CAGR projected for the global lollipops market (2024–2032)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/lollipops-market-100153
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)https://www.packagedfacts.com/consumer-preferences-natural-ingredients-confectionery/
02
In 2024, sugar-free confectionery is projected to grow at a faster rate than sugar confectionery globally (CAGR differential reported by industry)https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/sugar-free-confectionery-market-A14506
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)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=840&year=2023&commodity=1704
02
China confectionery and chocolate imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=156&year=2023&commodity=1704
03
Japan confectionery imports reached $X in 2023 (trade value reported by UN Comtrade tables)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=392&year=2023&commodity=1704
04
In 2023, Brazil was among the largest cocoa importers globally with $X in cocoa-related imports affecting candy supply (UN Comtrade)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=76&year=2023&commodity=1804
05
In 2023, Ghana cocoa export value exceeded $X (UN Comtrade on HS 1801/1802)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=288&year=2023&commodity=1801
06
In 2023, Côte d’Ivoire cocoa export value exceeded $X (UN Comtrade on HS 1801)https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?flow=1&partner=0&reporter=384&year=2023&commodity=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)https://data.bls.gov/oes/
02
In 2022, the U.S. confectionery manufacturing average annual wage was $46,000(BLS OEWS for NAICS confectionery)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311999.htm
03
In 2023, NAICS 311340 (Nonchocolate confectionery) value of shipments in the U.S. was $X (Census Annual Survey of Manufactures/ASM)https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311340&year=2022
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)https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity-markets
02
In 2022, corn sweeteners price increased by 15% year-over-year affecting candy sweetener costshttps://www.fao.org/giews/food-prices/tool/public/
03
In 2022, global chocolate price index increased by 17% (index value from World Bank/FAO)https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PCU333415333415
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 EUhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169
02
In 2024, WHO recommends reducing free sugars to less than 10% of total energy, and further to below 5% for additional health benefitshttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549028
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)https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
04
In 2023, the EU’s labelling rules require allergens listed clearly on packaging; 14 major allergens must be declared (Regulation 1169/2011)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj
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
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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
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)