GITNUXREPORT 2025

Dessert Industry Statistics

Global dessert industry exceeds $100 billion, driven by vegan, gluten-free, and artisanal growth.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Millennials make up approximately 40% of dessert consumers in the United States

Statistic 2

The average American consumes about 4.5 pounds of chocolate per year

Statistic 3

Around 60% of dessert consumers prefer plant-based or vegan options when available

Statistic 4

The demand for low-sugar and sugar-free desserts increased by 13% in 2022, driven by health-conscious consumers

Statistic 5

North America accounted for over 35% of the global dessert market share in 2021

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The online sales of desserts increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020

Statistic 7

The gluten-free desserts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2027

Statistic 8

The demand for organic desserts surged by 12% annually from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 9

The global gelato market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% between 2022 and 2028

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Vegan desserts are the fastest-growing segment in the dessert industry, with a growth rate of 14% annually

Statistic 11

The Asia-Pacific confectionery market, which includes many desserts, is projected to reach $45 billion by 2025

Statistic 12

In Europe, dessert consumption increased by 8% in 2022 compared to 2021

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The premium ice cream segment grew by 18% in 2022, accounting for 25% of total ice cream sales

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The global frozen desserts market is expected to reach $111 billion by 2028

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The gluten-free dessert market segment grew approximately 20% in 2022, indicating increasing consumer health awareness

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The demand for ethnic and exotic desserts increased by 12% in Western markets in 2022, driven by increased multicultural cuisine interest

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The number of artisanal dessert shops increased by 21% between 2018 and 2022 globally, reflecting consumer demand for unique and handcrafted options

Statistic 18

The rising popularity of plant-based diets is expected to push the vegan dessert market to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2027

Statistic 19

The use of edible CBD in desserts gained popularity, with the edible CBD desserts market growing at over 20% annually from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 20

The ethnic dessert segment, including Middle Eastern, Asian, and Latin American sweets, increased by 14% in sales in North America from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 21

The global pistachio-flavored desserts market is projected to grow by 6% annually until 2027, due to increasing popularity of special nut-flavored treats

Statistic 22

The number of craft-based dessert companies increased by 18% globally between 2018 and 2022, as consumers seek artisanal quality

Statistic 23

The popularity of dairy-free and plant-based ice creams has led to a 22% growth in this segment in 2022, driven by vegan and lactose-free consumer demands

Statistic 24

The global macaron market was valued at $2.2 billion in 2022 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2027, reflecting a rising demand for premium gourmet desserts

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The global dessert market was valued at approximately $100 billion in 2022

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The packaged cake segment alone is projected to reach $35 billion by 2025

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Chocolate desserts hold more than 45% of the total dessert market share worldwide

Statistic 28

In 2023, the US dessert industry generated over $45 billion in revenue

Statistic 29

The bakery segment accounts for nearly 60% of total dessert sales in retail stores

Statistic 30

In 2023, about 25% of U.S. bakeries reported increasing their dessert offerings to include more gluten-free and allergen-free options

Statistic 31

Specialty desserts, such as artisan and gourmet items, grew by 10% in sales in 2022 across retail stores

Statistic 32

Dessert consumption is the highest during holidays, with Easter and Christmas accounting for 25% of annual dessert sales

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In the U.S., bulk desserts like cookies and candies are purchased mostly in family-sized packages, representing 70% of sales

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The gluten-free and allergen-free dessert segment is expected to reach a revenue of $4 billion worldwide by 2025

Statistic 35

The top-selling dessert flavors globally are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, accounting for over 65% of flavor sales

Statistic 36

In 2022, the vegan chocolate market alone grew by 18%, reaching $1.2 billion in sales

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Frozen yogurt sales accounted for about 25% of the frozen desserts market in 2022, with a growing consumer preference for healthier desserts

Statistic 38

Household consumption of dessert snacks in the U.S. reached $12 billion in 2022, with premium and craft snack options leading the growth

Statistic 39

Innovative dessert formats like bite-sized, mini, and handheld treats gained 15% more market share in 2022, driven by convenience and snacking trends

Statistic 40

The global sugar confectionery market, including candies and chocolates, was valued at $180 billion in 2022, poised for steady growth

Statistic 41

In 2023, the popularity of desserts with functional health benefits, such as probiotics and antioxidants, increased by 10%, reflecting health trend integration

Statistic 42

The sales of holiday-themed desserts surge by approximately 35% during peak seasons such as Halloween and Christmas, seasonally boosting the industry

Statistic 43

In 2022, the most searched-for desserts online were cheesecakes, brownies, and gelato, indicating high consumer interest

Statistic 44

Online searches for "best desserts" increased by 25% in 2022, indicating rising consumer curiosity and demand for new dessert experiences

Statistic 45

The pet dessert market is a niche segment that grew by 15% in 2022, with pet-friendly ice creams and treats gaining popularity

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Key Highlights

The global dessert market was valued at approximately $100 billion in 2022
North America accounted for over 35% of the global dessert market share in 2021
The packaged cake segment alone is projected to reach $35 billion by 2025
Millennials make up approximately 40% of dessert consumers in the United States
The online sales of desserts increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
The gluten-free desserts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2027
Chocolate desserts hold more than 45% of the total dessert market share worldwide
In 2023, the US dessert industry generated over $45 billion in revenue
The demand for organic desserts surged by 12% annually from 2018 to 2022
The average American consumes about 4.5 pounds of chocolate per year
The global gelato market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% between 2022 and 2028
Vegan desserts are the fastest-growing segment in the dessert industry, with a growth rate of 14% annually
The bakery segment accounts for nearly 60% of total dessert sales in retail stores

The $100 billion global dessert industry is experiencing a sweet revolution, driven by rising consumer preferences for artisanal, organic, plant-based, and globally inspired treats, with online sales soaring and innovative formats transforming how we indulge.

Consumer Demographics and Preferences

Millennials make up approximately 40% of dessert consumers in the United States
The average American consumes about 4.5 pounds of chocolate per year
Around 60% of dessert consumers prefer plant-based or vegan options when available
The demand for low-sugar and sugar-free desserts increased by 13% in 2022, driven by health-conscious consumers

Consumer Demographics and Preferences Interpretation

As Millennials carve out nearly half the dessert market with a sweet tooth for plant-based, low-sugar options, the American palate is subtly shifting from indulgence to health-conscious decadence—where chocolate still reigns supreme but guilt is increasingly optional.

Market Growth and Regional Trends

North America accounted for over 35% of the global dessert market share in 2021
The online sales of desserts increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
The gluten-free desserts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2027
The demand for organic desserts surged by 12% annually from 2018 to 2022
The global gelato market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% between 2022 and 2028
Vegan desserts are the fastest-growing segment in the dessert industry, with a growth rate of 14% annually
The Asia-Pacific confectionery market, which includes many desserts, is projected to reach $45 billion by 2025
In Europe, dessert consumption increased by 8% in 2022 compared to 2021
The premium ice cream segment grew by 18% in 2022, accounting for 25% of total ice cream sales
The global frozen desserts market is expected to reach $111 billion by 2028
The gluten-free dessert market segment grew approximately 20% in 2022, indicating increasing consumer health awareness
The demand for ethnic and exotic desserts increased by 12% in Western markets in 2022, driven by increased multicultural cuisine interest
The number of artisanal dessert shops increased by 21% between 2018 and 2022 globally, reflecting consumer demand for unique and handcrafted options
The rising popularity of plant-based diets is expected to push the vegan dessert market to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2027
The use of edible CBD in desserts gained popularity, with the edible CBD desserts market growing at over 20% annually from 2020 to 2023
The ethnic dessert segment, including Middle Eastern, Asian, and Latin American sweets, increased by 14% in sales in North America from 2019 to 2022
The global pistachio-flavored desserts market is projected to grow by 6% annually until 2027, due to increasing popularity of special nut-flavored treats
The number of craft-based dessert companies increased by 18% globally between 2018 and 2022, as consumers seek artisanal quality
The popularity of dairy-free and plant-based ice creams has led to a 22% growth in this segment in 2022, driven by vegan and lactose-free consumer demands
The global macaron market was valued at $2.2 billion in 2022 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2027, reflecting a rising demand for premium gourmet desserts

Market Growth and Regional Trends Interpretation

As the dessert industry blazes its path from artisanal shops to global markets, rising health-consciousness and multicultural palates are fueling a sweet revolution where vegan, gluten-free, and exotic treats are not only growing at double-digit rates but also reshaping our cravings in a $111 billion frozen dessert universe.

Market Segments and Product Types

The global dessert market was valued at approximately $100 billion in 2022
The packaged cake segment alone is projected to reach $35 billion by 2025
Chocolate desserts hold more than 45% of the total dessert market share worldwide
In 2023, the US dessert industry generated over $45 billion in revenue
The bakery segment accounts for nearly 60% of total dessert sales in retail stores
In 2023, about 25% of U.S. bakeries reported increasing their dessert offerings to include more gluten-free and allergen-free options
Specialty desserts, such as artisan and gourmet items, grew by 10% in sales in 2022 across retail stores
Dessert consumption is the highest during holidays, with Easter and Christmas accounting for 25% of annual dessert sales
In the U.S., bulk desserts like cookies and candies are purchased mostly in family-sized packages, representing 70% of sales
The gluten-free and allergen-free dessert segment is expected to reach a revenue of $4 billion worldwide by 2025
The top-selling dessert flavors globally are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, accounting for over 65% of flavor sales
In 2022, the vegan chocolate market alone grew by 18%, reaching $1.2 billion in sales
Frozen yogurt sales accounted for about 25% of the frozen desserts market in 2022, with a growing consumer preference for healthier desserts
Household consumption of dessert snacks in the U.S. reached $12 billion in 2022, with premium and craft snack options leading the growth
Innovative dessert formats like bite-sized, mini, and handheld treats gained 15% more market share in 2022, driven by convenience and snacking trends
The global sugar confectionery market, including candies and chocolates, was valued at $180 billion in 2022, poised for steady growth
In 2023, the popularity of desserts with functional health benefits, such as probiotics and antioxidants, increased by 10%, reflecting health trend integration
The sales of holiday-themed desserts surge by approximately 35% during peak seasons such as Halloween and Christmas, seasonally boosting the industry

Market Segments and Product Types Interpretation

With a sweet market valued at $100 billion globally—dominated by chocolate, festive peaks, and health-conscious innovations—the dessert industry proves that whether indulgent or mindful, our craving for confections remains irresistibly and lucratively alive.

Online and Digital Market Trends

In 2022, the most searched-for desserts online were cheesecakes, brownies, and gelato, indicating high consumer interest
Online searches for "best desserts" increased by 25% in 2022, indicating rising consumer curiosity and demand for new dessert experiences

Online and Digital Market Trends Interpretation

The surge in online searches for cheesecakes, brownies, and gelato, coupled with a 25% uptick in "best desserts" queries, underscores a sweet revolution where consumers are not just craving classic confections but actively seeking innovative delights to elevate their dessert menus.

Specialty and Niche Markets

The pet dessert market is a niche segment that grew by 15% in 2022, with pet-friendly ice creams and treats gaining popularity

Specialty and Niche Markets Interpretation

The pet dessert market's 15% growth in 2022 underscores how our furry friends are increasingly becoming dessert connoisseurs, prompting the industry to serve up more pet-friendly ice creams and treats—proof that even pets crave a sweet ending.