The Sweet Side Of The Confectionery Industry Stimulating Taste Buds, Making Global Waves

North America is witnessing a significant rise in sugar and chocolate product sales. The U.S. is one of the major markets where the consumers are ready to spend on artisanal confectionery products that enhance their appearance

Revenue in the confectionery market amounts to $619.25 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow annually by 5.47 per cent (CAGR 2025-2030). In global comparison, most revenue is generated China ($89bn in 2025). In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of $78.94 are generated in 2025. In the confectionery market, the volume is expected to touch 87.81 billion kg by 2030. The market is expected to show a volume growth of 2.5 per cent in 2026. The average volume per person in the confectionery market is expected to be around 10 kg this year.

Europe dominated the market with a market share of 38.38 per cent in 2023. Moreover, its size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of $36.09 billion by 2032, driven by consumer’s willingness to spend on artisanal products and emerging production facilities in the region.

Western Europe is the global hotspot for confectionery consumption, and a third of the global market revenue is generated there. North American consumers are also accounting for a significant share of 22 per cent of the market, while the sizeable Asia Pacific region accounts for only about 14 percent.

In recent years, the confectionery section in the food market has seen a surge in demand for healthier and more sustainable options. This trend is driven by shifting consumer preferences towards clean label and organic products, as well as an increased focus on environmental sustainability. This has led to companies investing in R&D to develop new products and reformulate existing ones to meet these demands.

Additionally, there is a growing trend of online shopping for confectionery and snacks, as consumers increasingly turn to e-commerce for convenience and easy access to a wider variety of products. These trends are expected to continue shaping the confectionery and snacks market in the coming years, requiring industry stakeholders to adapt and innovate to stay competitive.

The premium product range has been showing significant growth in recent years, driving the development of the global market. The increase in demand for premium products has been steady in developed regions. However, the developing region has been showing a rapid growth in demand for premium product range due to the western influence, rising disposable income, rapid growth in international trade and increased geographical expansion by major players with new product launches and developments. Growth in the global market can be attributed to the increase in consumption of premium confectionary products.

Europe accounted for the major share in the global market and accounted for $73.41 billion in 2020. The consumers are intensively looking for quality and premium chocolates over sugar confectionery products, owing to their increased taste preferences and permissive eating habits. The combination of work-life, health concerns and individual desires among the consumers is one of the major factors that are becoming influential motivators to consume confectioneries in their daily routine.

The consumers are demanding some specific and customized chocolates in the market, such as ‘melt-in-the-mouth ‘feel chocolate, ‘quality-for-chocolate’, and others which have consequently led to greater sales of confectioneries in the region. It is the most popular snack-type in certain European countries like the U.K., Germany and Austria. These countries are expected to consume five times the global average.

Asia Pacific held the second largest confectionery market share and holds immense potential for chocolate product consumption worldwide. Rapid urbanisation, increasing disposable income, young and dynamic population, and easy availability of confectioneries in consumer packs are the major reasons for the regional market's growth. The manufacturers are utilizing such opportunities by intensively capitalizing on facility expansions and mergers and acquisitions with regional players. Increasing popularity, acceptance, and technological advancements for such products among consumers are anticipated to be the significant factors fostering the growth of the overall market during the forecast period.

North America is witnessing a significant rise in sugar and chocolate product sales as consumers are increasingly eyeing it as comfort food. The between-meal snacking trend in the region has led to increased demand for snacks and cereal bars.

The U.S. is one of the major markets where the consumers are ready to spend on artisanal confectionery products that enhance their appearance and increase their palatability.

Efforts from manufacturers, implementation of new technologies, and emerging production facilities in the region have positively impacted the overall growth of the demand.

On the other hand, growth has been rather slow throughout the forecast period in South America, which is possibly due low economic conditions, consumer health concerns, and certain legislative challenges. However, the region is expected to show a high preference for chocolate over sugar as it is perceived to be premium.