The global confectionery market is valued at over $220 billion. Swiss consumers lead the world, eating nearly 12 kilograms of chocolate per capita annually.
Key Takeaways
- Hershey holds 34% market share in U.S. chocolate confectionery in 2023.
- Per capita chocolate consumption in Switzerland averaged 11.9 kg in 2023.
- 75% of new confectionery launches in 2023 featured low/no sugar claims.
- The global confectionery market was valued at USD 220.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising demand for premium and functional confectionery.
- World annual cocoa production reached 5.1 million metric tons in 2023/24 season.
Confectionery sales keep growing steadily, with demand shifting toward premium and healthier options.
Related reading
01 · Category
Competitive Landscape20 stats
01
Hershey holds 34% market share in U.S. chocolate confectionery in 2023.
02
Mars Inc. commands 29% of global chocolate market share in 2023.
03
Nestlé leads in ice cream and confectionery hybrids with 15% global share.
04
Mondelez International's market cap reached $85 billion in 2023, topping confectionery firms.
05
Ferrero Group acquired 100% of Wells Enterprises, boosting U.S. share to 12%.
06
Lindt & Sprüngli reported CHF 4.6 billion in sales, 8% growth in 2023.
07
Mars Wrigley dominates global gum market with 45% share in 2023.
08
Lotte Confectionery holds 25% share in South Korea's market.
09
Barry Callebaut supplies 40% of world's cocoa to major brands.
10
Perfetti Van Melle leads sugar confectionery with 18% global share.
11
U.S. top 10 firms control 85% of chocolate sales in 2023.
12
Meiji Co. has 30% market share in Japan's chocolate segment.
13
Cadbury (Mondelez) holds 20% UK chocolate market share.
14
Haribo dominates gummi bears with 25% European share.
15
Mars' Snickers is the world's top-selling candy bar, 500M units/month.
16
Nestlé KitKat sells 17.6 billion fingers annually worldwide.
17
Hershey's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups generate $2B annual U.S. sales.
18
Ferrero's Nutella spreads 1M tons yearly globally.
19
M&M's by Mars sells 400M pieces daily worldwide.
20
Lacta by Mondelez leads Greek market with 28% share.
Interpretation
Competitive Landscape Interpretation
While the global chocolate wars are fought over billion-dollar market shares and millions of tons of Nutella, the unshakeable reality is that your sweet tooth is being meticulously managed by a surprisingly small handful of corporate giants.
02 · Category
Consumption and Demand24 stats
01
Per capita chocolate consumption in Switzerland averaged 11.9 kg in 2023.
02
U.S. consumers ate 5.5 kg of chocolate per capita annually in 2023.
03
Germany’s average annual gum consumption per person was 1.2 kg in 2023.
04
UK chocolate consumption totaled 490,000 tons in 2023, per capita 7.3 kg.
05
India's per capita confectionery consumption rose to 2.1 kg in 2023 from 1.8 kg in 2020.
06
Brazil's average sugar confectionery intake was 4.5 kg per person in 2023.
07
China's chocolate consumption per capita reached 0.15 kg in 2023, up 20% YoY.
08
Australia consumed 12.4 kg of confectionery per capita in 2023.
09
France's per capita chocolate consumption was 8.1 kg in 2023.
10
Mexico's total confectionery consumption hit 750,000 tons in 2023.
11
Japan's gum and mint sales per capita averaged 0.8 kg in 2023.
12
Russia consumed 250,000 tons of chocolate in 2023, per capita 1.7 kg.
13
Canada's confectionery intake per person was 13.2 kg annually in 2023.
14
South Africa's chocolate consumption grew to 120,000 tons in 2023.
15
Italy's per capita candy consumption was 5.8 kg in 2023.
16
Turkey consumed 4.2 kg of confectionery per capita in 2023.
17
Poland's total gum consumption was 25,000 tons in 2023.
18
UAE per capita chocolate intake reached 2.5 kg in 2023.
19
Netherlands consumed 6.9 kg confectionery per person in 2023.
20
Argentina's sugar-free confectionery demand rose 15% to 50,000 tons in 2023.
21
Sweden's premium chocolate consumption per capita was 9.2 kg in 2023.
22
68% of global consumers prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate in 2023 surveys.
23
42% of U.S. adults consumed confectionery daily in 2023.
24
55% of European millennials opt for sustainable confectionery packaging.
Interpretation
Consumption and Demand Interpretation
While the Swiss and Canadians lead the world in a deliciously decadent arms race of chocolate and confectionery consumption, the global sweet tooth reveals a complex palate where sustainability is gaining ground, dark chocolate is the democratic favorite, and emerging markets like China and India are just beginning to unwrap their potential.
03 · Category
Emerging Trends and Forecasts21 stats
01
75% of new confectionery launches in 2023 featured low/no sugar claims.
02
Plant-based confectionery grew 28% in new product launches in 2023.
03
62% of consumers seek functional benefits like energy boost in candy.
04
E-commerce confectionery sales rose 15% globally to $25B in 2023.
05
Sustainable sourcing claims appeared on 40% of chocolate packs in 2023.
06
CBD-infused confectionery market projected to hit $2.5B by 2027.
07
Zero-sugar variants grew 12% in volume sales across Europe 2023.
08
Exotic flavors like matcha and yuzu featured in 25% new launches 2023.
09
Upcycled ingredients used in 10% of premium confectionery in 2023.
10
Personalization via AI-driven vending up 30% in urban areas 2023.
11
Mood-boosting confectionery with adaptogens launched 50+ SKUs in 2023.
12
Subscription box services for artisanal candy grew 22% subscribers 2023.
13
Holographic and AR packaging adopted by 15% top brands in 2023.
14
Probiotic gum variants increased 35% in market penetration 2023.
15
Gender-neutral branding rose to 55% of new confectionery lines 2023.
16
Confectionery NFTs and metaverse sales hit $50M in 2023 pilots.
17
Seaweed-based candies launched by 20 brands, 18% growth projection.
18
AI-optimized supply chains reduced waste by 20% for top firms 2023.
19
Collagen-enriched chocolates saw 40% sales uplift in health stores 2023.
20
Microplastic-free claims on 8% premium packs amid 2023 regulations.
21
Global confectionery market forecast to reach USD 285 billion by 2030 at 4.5% CAGR.
Interpretation
Emerging Trends and Forecasts Interpretation
In a stunning about-face, the confectionery industry is now feverishly reinventing candy to be less about sugar-fueled childhood joy and more about the adult angst of wanting a moral, personalized, and medically-sanctioned treat that is ethically sourced, algorithmically recommended, and potentially blockchain-verified, all while still trying to taste like an escape.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
The global confectionery market was valued at USD 220.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising demand for premium and functional confectionery.
02
In 2023, the chocolate confectionery segment accounted for over 52% of the global confectionery market revenue, reaching approximately USD 115 billion.
03
The sugar confectionery market size stood at USD 48.2 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 62.5 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.3%.
04
North America's confectionery market generated USD 52.3 billion in revenue in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 3.8% through 2028.
05
Europe's confectionery industry saw sales of EUR 92 billion in 2022, with chocolate dominating at 65% market share.
06
Asia-Pacific confectionery market is forecasted to grow from USD 65 billion in 2023 to USD 92 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.1%.
07
The U.S. confectionery market reached $40.5 billion in retail sales in 2023, up 2.5% from the previous year.
08
Global gum and mint confectionery sales hit USD 22.4 billion in 2023, growing at 2.9% CAGR.
09
Premium confectionery segment grew by 6.8% in 2023, contributing USD 35 billion to the global market.
10
Organic confectionery market valued at USD 8.7 billion globally in 2023, expected to reach USD 15.2 billion by 2030.
11
The global confectionery market is projected to surpass USD 280 billion by 2028, fueled by e-commerce growth.
12
In 2023, per capita confectionery consumption in the U.S. averaged 24.5 kg, contributing to a market value of $42 billion.
13
Brazil's confectionery market was worth BRL 25 billion in 2023, with 4% annual growth.
14
The vegan confectionery market grew to USD 2.1 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 11.2% since 2018.
15
Middle East & Africa confectionery sales reached USD 12.5 billion in 2023, up 4.5% YoY.
16
Global hard candy market size was USD 15.3 billion in 2023, projected CAGR 3.7% to 2030.
17
India's confectionery market hit INR 1.2 trillion in 2023, driven by urban millennial demand.
18
Functional confectionery with health benefits reached USD 10.8 billion globally in 2023.
19
Australia’s confectionery industry generated AUD 4.5 billion in 2023 retail sales.
20
The low-sugar confectionery segment was valued at USD 18.2 billion in 2023, growing 5.4% CAGR.
21
China’s chocolate confectionery market exceeded CNY 100 billion in 2023.
22
Global nougat and marshmallow market size stood at USD 4.2 billion in 2023.
23
UK confectionery market sales were GBP 5.2 billion in 2023, with seasonal peaks at 25% higher.
24
Halal confectionery market globally reached USD 7.5 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.1%.
25
Japan’s premium confectionery sales grew 3.2% to JPY 450 billion in 2023.
26
The global toffee and caramel confectionery market was USD 6.8 billion in 2023.
27
Mexico's confectionery imports totaled USD 2.1 billion in 2023, mainly chocolate.
28
Keto confectionery market valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2023, projected to double by 2030.
29
South Korea’s gum market reached KRW 500 billion in 2023 sales.
30
Global artisanal confectionery segment hit USD 12.4 billion in 2023 revenue.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The world has an unwavering and expanding sweet tooth, but it's becoming a surprisingly sophisticated palate, trading simple sugar rushes for premium experiences and functional benefits that let us indulge with a slightly less guilty conscience.
05 · Category
Production and Supply Chain29 stats
01
World annual cocoa production reached 5.1 million metric tons in 2023/24 season.
02
Ivory Coast produced 2.1 million metric tons of cocoa beans in 2023, 42% of global supply.
03
Global sugar production for confectionery use was 185 million metric tons in 2023.
04
Hershey's produced over 1.2 billion pounds of chocolate products in 2023.
05
Mars Inc. manufactured 500,000 tons of confectionery annually across 35 factories worldwide.
06
Nestlé's confectionery production volume exceeded 1.8 million tons in 2023.
07
Global palm kernel oil usage in confectionery reached 8.2 million tons in 2023.
08
Ferrero Rocher production capacity hit 100 million units per day from Italian plants in 2023.
09
U.S. confectionery manufacturing output was valued at $25.6 billion in 2023.
10
Barry Callebaut produced 2.4 million tons of cocoa products in FY2023.
11
Global hazelnut consumption for confectionery was 450,000 tons in 2023.
12
Mondelez International's global chocolate production reached 1.5 million tons in 2023.
13
Almond usage in confectionery products totaled 120,000 metric tons globally in 2023.
14
Cargill's cocoa processing capacity was 2 million tons annually in 2023.
15
EU confectionery production volume was 12.5 million tons in 2022.
16
Lotte Group's Korean confectionery plants produced 300,000 tons yearly.
17
Global milk powder supply for chocolate making was 4.1 million tons in 2023.
18
Puratos Group's chocolate production exceeded 250,000 tons in 2023.
19
Brazil produced 450,000 tons of cocoa in 2023, up 15% YoY.
20
Olam International supplied 1.2 million tons of cocoa ingredients in 2023.
21
Ghana's cocoa output was 820,000 metric tons in 2023/24.
22
Blommer Chocolate processed 400,000 tons of cocoa annually.
23
Indonesia's cocoa production hit 240,000 tons in 2023.
24
ADM's cocoa processing volume was 650,000 tons in 2023.
25
Global lecithin demand for confectionery was 280,000 tons in 2023.
26
Mars Wrigley gum production reached 150,000 tons globally in 2023.
27
Ecuador exported 380,000 tons of cocoa beans in 2023.
28
Fuji Oil Holdings produced 500,000 tons of cocoa butter equivalents.
29
U.S. peanut production for confectionery use was 1.2 million tons in 2023.
Interpretation
Production and Supply Chain Interpretation
While humanity’s collective sweet tooth demands staggering industrial output—from a cocoa bean’s humble journey in West Africa to becoming a billion pounds of Hershey’s chocolate—this indulgence rests on a fragile, globe-spanning supply chain of nuts, oils, and sugar that we secretly hope our dentist never asks us to picture by the ton.
Reference
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Confectionery Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/confectionery-industry-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Confectionery Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/confectionery-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Confectionery Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/confectionery-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
85 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level