GITNUXREPORT 2025

Confectionery Industry Statistics

Global confectionery market valued at $200 billion; healthy, premium, and online sales rising.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

65% of consumers worldwide prefer purchasing locally produced confectionery items

Statistic 2

The most popular chocolate flavor globally is milk chocolate, followed by dark chocolate

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Approximately 80% of consumers prefer to buy confectionery products with natural ingredients, emphasizing the shift toward clean-label products

Statistic 4

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the global confectionery market share

Statistic 5

The top three candy-consuming countries are the USA, Germany, and India, with per capita annual consumption rates over 12 kg

Statistic 6

In Europe, the convenience store channel accounts for nearly 28% of confectionery sales, highlighting the importance of quick purchase points

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The confectionery industry employs over 500,000 workers worldwide

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Sugar confectionery accounts for approximately 70% of the global confectionery market

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Adults aged 25-34 make up the largest consumer demographic for confectionery products in North America

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Nearly 60% of global confectionery sales are made through supermarkets and hypermarkets

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Non-chocolate confectionery (like mints and gums) holds approximately 30% of the global market

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Around 85% of chocolate consumed in the US is purchased during the Halloween season

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The average retail price of a kilogram of premium confectionery is approximately $40, which is 2 times higher than standard confectionery

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Organic and natural ingredients are increasingly sought after in confectionery, with 70% of consumers citing health concerns as a motivator

Statistic 15

The average shelf life of chocolate products is approximately 12 months, depending on packaging and storage conditions

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The trend towards sustainable packaging in confectionery has increased by 22% in 2023, driven by consumer demand

Statistic 17

The majority of confectionery consumption occurs during festive seasons, with 75% of annual sales happening around holidays such as Christmas and Easter

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The average weight of a single piece of confectionery is approximately 15 grams, ideal for portion control and impulse purchases

Statistic 19

Seasonal limited-edition confectionery products generate up to 20% of annual revenue for some brands, especially during holidays

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The global confectionery market was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2022

Statistic 21

Confectionery sales in the United States reached $36 billion in 2021

Statistic 22

The annual growth rate of the global chocolate market is projected to be 5.3% from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 23

The average British person consumes around 8 kg of chocolate annually

Statistic 24

The vegan confectionery segment is growing at a CAGR of 6.8% globally

Statistic 25

In 2022, premium and artisanal confectionery products accounted for 15% of the global market

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Millennials are responsible for nearly 40% of all confectionery purchases in the US

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The global chewing gum market was valued at $27 billion in 2021

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The organic confectionery segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2027

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The global chocolate confectionery market is expected to reach $119 billion by 2027

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The global sugar-free confectionery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% until 2026

Statistic 31

The demand for gluten-free confectionery products has increased by 12% in the last two years

Statistic 32

The indigenous and ethnic confectionery segment has seen a 10% growth rate globally

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The global hard-boiled candy segment is valued at $4 billion as of 2023

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The Asia-Pacific confectionery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2028

Statistic 35

Online sales of confectionery increased by 25% in 2022, attributed largely to the pandemic influence

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The percentage of households that purchase luxury or premium confectionery has increased by 18% over the past 3 years

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Black chocolate sales have increased by 9% globally in 2022, reflecting a growing consumer interest in 70% cacao and above products

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Market penetration of functional (health-enhancing) confectionery is approximately 12% globally, with growth driven by probiotic, vitamin, and mineral-infused products

Statistic 39

The snack-sized confectionery segment has grown by 15% over the last 2 years, mainly due to convenience and impulse buying habits

Statistic 40

The global licorice confectionery market is expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.9%

Statistic 41

Fairtrade-certified confectionery accounts for about 10% of the global market, driven by consumer awareness of ethical sourcing

Statistic 42

The use of digital marketing and social media campaigns in confectionery advertising has increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023, boosting brand engagement

Statistic 43

The European confectionery market was valued at around €35 billion in 2022, with Germany, France, and Italy as leading markets

Statistic 44

The average annual growth rate of small artisanal confectionery brands is about 7%, indicating increased consumer interest in handcrafted products

Statistic 45

The demand for sugar-free gums is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven by health trends

Statistic 46

In 2021, out of total confectionery retail sales, 22% was contributed by sugar-free and functional sweets, highlighting health-conscious consumer trends

Statistic 47

In emerging markets like Africa and Southeast Asia, confectionery consumption is expected to grow at over 6% annually through 2030

Statistic 48

The global confectionery product innovation rate averages 8% annually, with new product launches being a major driver

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Key Highlights

The global confectionery market was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2022
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the global confectionery market share
Confectionery sales in the United States reached $36 billion in 2021
The annual growth rate of the global chocolate market is projected to be 5.3% from 2023 to 2028
Sugar confectionery accounts for approximately 70% of the global confectionery market
Adults aged 25-34 make up the largest consumer demographic for confectionery products in North America
The average British person consumes around 8 kg of chocolate annually
The vegan confectionery segment is growing at a CAGR of 6.8% globally
In 2022, premium and artisanal confectionery products accounted for 15% of the global market
Millennials are responsible for nearly 40% of all confectionery purchases in the US
The global chewing gum market was valued at $27 billion in 2021
Nearly 60% of global confectionery sales are made through supermarkets and hypermarkets
The organic confectionery segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2027

The confectionery industry is booming worldwide, with a staggering $200 billion valuation in 2022, driven by evolving consumer preferences, regional growth hotspots like Asia-Pacific, and a surge in health-conscious and premium products shaping the future of sweet treats.

Consumer Preferences

65% of consumers worldwide prefer purchasing locally produced confectionery items
The most popular chocolate flavor globally is milk chocolate, followed by dark chocolate
Approximately 80% of consumers prefer to buy confectionery products with natural ingredients, emphasizing the shift toward clean-label products

Consumer Preferences Interpretation

With 65% of consumers worldwide favoring locally produced treats, a global craving for milk and dark chocolates, and an 80% preference for natural ingredients, the confectionery industry is clearly savoring a sweet, transparent future rooted in authenticity and community.

Geographical Market Insights

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 35% of the global confectionery market share
The top three candy-consuming countries are the USA, Germany, and India, with per capita annual consumption rates over 12 kg
In Europe, the convenience store channel accounts for nearly 28% of confectionery sales, highlighting the importance of quick purchase points

Geographical Market Insights Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific gobbling up over a third of the global candy market, the USA, Germany, and India are sweetening their reputations as top consumers, while Europe's reliance on convenience stores underscores how access turning sweet-tooth cravings into quick bites keeps the industry buzzing.

Industry Employment

The confectionery industry employs over 500,000 workers worldwide

Industry Employment Interpretation

With over half a million hands sweetening the globe, the confectionery industry proves that not only is sugar addictive, but so is the job of making it!

Market Segments and Consumer Preferences

Sugar confectionery accounts for approximately 70% of the global confectionery market
Adults aged 25-34 make up the largest consumer demographic for confectionery products in North America
Nearly 60% of global confectionery sales are made through supermarkets and hypermarkets
Non-chocolate confectionery (like mints and gums) holds approximately 30% of the global market
Around 85% of chocolate consumed in the US is purchased during the Halloween season
The average retail price of a kilogram of premium confectionery is approximately $40, which is 2 times higher than standard confectionery
Organic and natural ingredients are increasingly sought after in confectionery, with 70% of consumers citing health concerns as a motivator
The average shelf life of chocolate products is approximately 12 months, depending on packaging and storage conditions
The trend towards sustainable packaging in confectionery has increased by 22% in 2023, driven by consumer demand
The majority of confectionery consumption occurs during festive seasons, with 75% of annual sales happening around holidays such as Christmas and Easter
The average weight of a single piece of confectionery is approximately 15 grams, ideal for portion control and impulse purchases
Seasonal limited-edition confectionery products generate up to 20% of annual revenue for some brands, especially during holidays

Market Segments and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

Confectionery's sweet spot is clearly in festive seasons and innovative packaging, as adults and health-conscious consumers alike indulge in a market where nearly 70% is sugar-coated and premium prices tell the story of ever-sweeter profits amidst a rising tide of sustainable, natural, and seasonal treats.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global confectionery market was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2022
Confectionery sales in the United States reached $36 billion in 2021
The annual growth rate of the global chocolate market is projected to be 5.3% from 2023 to 2028
The average British person consumes around 8 kg of chocolate annually
The vegan confectionery segment is growing at a CAGR of 6.8% globally
In 2022, premium and artisanal confectionery products accounted for 15% of the global market
Millennials are responsible for nearly 40% of all confectionery purchases in the US
The global chewing gum market was valued at $27 billion in 2021
The organic confectionery segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2027
The global chocolate confectionery market is expected to reach $119 billion by 2027
The global sugar-free confectionery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% until 2026
The demand for gluten-free confectionery products has increased by 12% in the last two years
The indigenous and ethnic confectionery segment has seen a 10% growth rate globally
The global hard-boiled candy segment is valued at $4 billion as of 2023
The Asia-Pacific confectionery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2028
Online sales of confectionery increased by 25% in 2022, attributed largely to the pandemic influence
The percentage of households that purchase luxury or premium confectionery has increased by 18% over the past 3 years
Black chocolate sales have increased by 9% globally in 2022, reflecting a growing consumer interest in 70% cacao and above products
Market penetration of functional (health-enhancing) confectionery is approximately 12% globally, with growth driven by probiotic, vitamin, and mineral-infused products
The snack-sized confectionery segment has grown by 15% over the last 2 years, mainly due to convenience and impulse buying habits
The global licorice confectionery market is expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.9%
Fairtrade-certified confectionery accounts for about 10% of the global market, driven by consumer awareness of ethical sourcing
The use of digital marketing and social media campaigns in confectionery advertising has increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023, boosting brand engagement
The European confectionery market was valued at around €35 billion in 2022, with Germany, France, and Italy as leading markets
The average annual growth rate of small artisanal confectionery brands is about 7%, indicating increased consumer interest in handcrafted products
The demand for sugar-free gums is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven by health trends
In 2021, out of total confectionery retail sales, 22% was contributed by sugar-free and functional sweets, highlighting health-conscious consumer trends
In emerging markets like Africa and Southeast Asia, confectionery consumption is expected to grow at over 6% annually through 2030

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

As the $200 billion global confectionery market continues to sweeten consumers' preferences with booming segments like vegan, organic, and artisanal treats—especially among Millennials and health-conscious shoppers—the industry's swift shift toward premium, ethical, and digitally boosted indulgence hints that in 2023, even a diet might include a little more confectionery intelligence.

Product Innovation and Trends

The global confectionery product innovation rate averages 8% annually, with new product launches being a major driver

Product Innovation and Trends Interpretation

With an annual innovation rate of 8%, the confectionery industry continually stirs the sweet pot—proving that even in sugar, creativity is the real flavor of success.