The United States Chocolate Market & Forecast report covers by Type (Dark Chocolate and Milk/White Chocolate), Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail Stores, and Other Distribution Channel), States and Company Analysis 2024-2033.
The United States chocolate market was US$ 35.25 billion in 2024 and is expected to rise with a CAGR of 3.79% during 2025-2033 and would reach US$ 49.26 billion in 2033. Growth in the market is observed due to increased demand of premium chocolates, healthier chocolate, and rising usage of chocolates as gifts and treats.
United States Chocolate Market Outlook
Chocolate is an extremely popular treat in the USA that is enjoyed in many different forms. It is widely used in desserts, baked goods, candy bars, and snacks. In fact, the convenience factor of chocolate consumption, taste preference for it, and the growing demand for a healthier or premium chocolate option lead chocolate consumption in the United States. Dark chocolate with the higher content of cocoa increases its popularity because it includes antioxidants and less sugar. The chocolate market in the United States experiences a surge in consumption around holidays such as Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas, during which chocolate is most often purchased as a gift. The interest in organic, fair-trade, and sustainably sourced chocolate also continues to grow, which mirrors the overall consumer interest.
United States Chocolate Market Trends
Increasing attraction to Luxury Chocolates
The United States chocolate market is dominated by impulse purchases and increased love for luxurious chocolates. Strong visual attractions in promotion and attractive in-store display significantly influence impulse purchases, increasing revenues. More customers seek hedonistic experiences and enjoy more premium and artisanal brands. The phenomenon also arises from the sensory gratification and the reward feeling about chocolate. The super premium chocolate brands include Lindt, Ghirardelli, and Ferrero Rocher, catering to specialty, high-value product requirements. Premium chocolate is a mass-market favorite, as 67% of consumers say they buy it sometimes and nearly 30% say they prefer it over mainstream or lower-quality versions, according to the National Confectioners Association.
Seasonal chocolate and candy enjoy strong consumer confidence
Chocolate sales in the United States increase dramatically during festive seasons such as Halloween and Christmas. This is a significant increase that will help revitalize the U.S. chocolate market as it builds consumer interest and drives total sales. Chocolates are often given as gifts and consumed as seasonal treats during these events. The National Confectioners Association, NCA, indicates that Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and winter holidays comprise sixty-four percent of revenue from chocolate and candy sales. The association of chocolate with indulgence and tradition for these events promotes consumption, causing sales to increase for makers and retailers.
New Flavours and Ingredients Innovation
United States chocolatiers are innovating new flavours and ingredients in response to changing consumer tastes. In this regard, the consumers' desire for unique flavors is what has led to this change. Manufacturers are experimenting with various substances, including exotic fruits, spices, nuts, and savory elements, to come up with appealing chocolate varieties. For instance, Cacao Barry introduced WholeFruit chocolate in 2021, which has been very well received by artisans. They are catering to modern tastes by incorporating cutting-edge ingredients such as matcha, sea salt, and superfoods like quinoa and goji berries. With competition rising among manufacturers of chocolate in the United States, new products can make a brand stand out from the crowd; for instance, Royce Chocolate green tea chocolate is quite popular. New ideas attract a larger market share and may also lead to more business.
Health Benefits of Chocolates
The growing awareness of the health benefits of dark chocolate, as well as its rich antioxidant content, is driving the growth of the chocolate market in the United States. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the antioxidants found in dark chocolate can improve heart health, cognitive functions, and mood. The potential to become an anti-inflammatory product and one that is good at lowering blood pressure also attract health-conscious consumers. With increasing demand, it raises the level of demand for the premium products in the market. With its appeal on health advantage by the manufacturer, high demand supports market growth while offering a sense of indulgence guilt-free.
Rising Challenges in the Chocolate Market
Increasing Cocoa Price with Chain Problems
One of the biggest challenges the chocolate market is facing is the increasing cost of cocoa, mainly due to climate change, supply chain disruption, and political instability in key cocoa-producing regions such as West Africa. The primary ingredient in chocolate is cocoa, so any changes in price have a direct impact on production costs. This makes chocolate manufacturers raise their prices, which might decrease consumer demand or have them absorb the costs, thereby decreasing profit margins. Ensuring a stable and sustainable cocoa supply remains a critical challenge for the industry.
Health Concerns and Shifting Consumer Preferences
Increasing health consciousness among consumers is another challenge for the chocolate market. Rising concerns about sugar content, obesity, and overall dietary health have led to a shift towards healthier alternatives. In order to fulfill such expectations, chocolate manufacturers are forced to lower the sugar content, offer low-calorie products, or introduce chocolates with higher cocoa contents such as dark chocolate. This will follow a healthy trend among consumers. Manufacturers have to invest in new formulations and production lines that will add to their costs and affect market equilibrium.
United States Hypermarkets and Supermarkets Chocolate Market
Hypermarkets and supermarkets may dominate the market because of their extensive presence. This offers comfort and accessibility to purchasers. These retail giants leverage their expansive shelf area to showcase numerous chocolate brands and products, catering to various patron possibilities. Their capacity to offer competitive and promotional pricing also solidifies their position as a primary phase within the chocolate market.
United States Chocolate Market Overview by States
California Chocolate Market
The California chocolate market could develop notably because of its vast population, numerous customer alternatives, and vibrant food culture. The state's popularity for culinary excellence fosters numerous artisanal chocolate makers, improving market vibrancy. Increasing cognizance of dark chocolate's health advantages and demand for quality and natural products align with California's fitness-conscious client base. For example, Navitas, known for its unprocessed raw cacao, now adopts regenerative practices within its delivery chain. Favorable agricultural conditions and strategic distribution further support the booming market.
New York Chocolate Market
The New York chocolate market is among the biggest and most energetic in the United States due to the diverse population that demands high premium, artisanal, and luxury chocolates. Consumers in New York prefer chocolate to be of good quality, organic, and ethically sourced. Seasonal events like Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas contribute to the market by increasing the sales of chocolates. A growing trend of healthier options, such as dark chocolate with high cocoa content or reduced sugar, is also visible. New York's rich food culture and its tourism further increase the demand for unique chocolate offerings and luxury brands.
United States Chocolate Market Company Analysis
Nestlé S.A, The Hershey Company, Mondelez International, Inc. General Mills Inc., Cargill Inc., Saputo Inc., Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprungli AG, and Godiva Chocolates are the prime companies in the United States chocolate market.
Puratos acquired the largest Canadian chocolate industry acquisition, Foley's Chocolates, in December 2023 - the Canadian producer. This strengthens the group's position in the US market share and its manufacturing capabilities. Acquisition in line with Puratos' commitment to health, sustainability, and innovation as well as its portfolio of chocolate solutions in plant-based, protein-enhanced, and sugar-free.
United States Chocolate Market Market Segments
Type - Market breakup in 2 viewpoints:
- Dark Chocolate
- Milk/White Chocolate
Distribution Channel - Market breakup in 4 viewpoints:
- Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
- Convenience Stores
- Online Retail Stores
- Other Distribution Channel
States - Market breakup 29 States:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Georgia
- New Jersey
- Washington
- North Carolina
- Massachusetts
- Virginia
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Colorado
- Tennessee
- Indiana
- Arizona
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Missouri
- Connecticut
- South Carolina
- Oregon
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Rest of the United States
All the Key players have been covered from 3 Viewpoints:
- Overview
- Recent Development
- Revenue Analysis
Company Analysis:
1. Nestlé S.A.
2. The Hershey Company
3. Mondelez International, Inc.
4. General Mills Inc.
5. Cargill Inc.
6. Saputo Inc.
7. Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprungli AG
8. Godiva Chocolates
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
- Nestlé S.A.
- The Hershey Company
- Mondelez International, Inc.
- General Mills Inc.
- Cargill Inc.
- Saputo Inc.
- Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprungli AG
- Godiva Chocolates
Methodology
In this report, for analyzing the future trends for the studied market during the forecast period, the publisher has incorporated rigorous statistical and econometric methods, further scrutinized by secondary, primary sources and by in-house experts, supported through their extensive data intelligence repository. The market is studied holistically from both demand and supply-side perspectives. This is carried out to analyze both end-user and producer behavior patterns, in the review period, which affects price, demand and consumption trends. As the study demands to analyze the long-term nature of the market, the identification of factors influencing the market is based on the fundamentality of the study market.
Through secondary and primary researches, which largely include interviews with industry participants, reliable statistics, and regional intelligence, are identified and are transformed to quantitative data through data extraction, and further applied for inferential purposes. The publisher's in-house industry experts play an instrumental role in designing analytic tools and models, tailored to the requirements of a particular industry segment. These analytical tools and models sanitize the data & statistics and enhance the accuracy of their recommendations and advice.
Primary Research
The primary purpose of this phase is to extract qualitative information regarding the market from the key industry leaders. The primary research efforts include reaching out to participants through mail, tele-conversations, referrals, professional networks, and face-to-face interactions. The publisher also established professional corporate relations with various companies that allow us greater flexibility for reaching out to industry participants and commentators for interviews and discussions, fulfilling the following functions:
- Validates and improves the data quality and strengthens research proceeds
- Further develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise
- Supplies authentic information about market size, share, growth, and forecast
The researcher's primary research interview and discussion panels are typically composed of the most experienced industry members. These participants include, however, are not limited to:
- Chief executives and VPs of leading corporations specific to the industry
- Product and sales managers or country heads; channel partners and top level distributors; banking, investment, and valuation experts
- Key opinion leaders (KOLs)
Secondary Research
The publisher refers to a broad array of industry sources for their secondary research, which typically includes, however, is not limited to:
- Company SEC filings, annual reports, company websites, broker & financial reports, and investor presentations for competitive scenario and shape of the industry
- Patent and regulatory databases for understanding of technical & legal developments
- Scientific and technical writings for product information and related preemptions
- Regional government and statistical databases for macro analysis
- Authentic new articles, webcasts, and other related releases for market evaluation
- Internal and external proprietary databases, key market indicators, and relevant press releases for market estimates and forecasts
LOADING...
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 120 |
| Published | February 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2033 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 35.25 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 49.26 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 3.7% |
| Regions Covered | United States |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 8 |
