Sugar Confectionery Market Report 2025

The sugar confectionery market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $49.35 billion in 2024 to $52.16 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to traditional and nostalgic appeal, innovative product development, marketing to children, seasonal and holiday demand, affordability and impulse purchases, cultural and regional preferences.

The sugar confectionery market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $64.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to health-conscious alternatives, premiumization, innovations in ingredients, sustainability practices, globalization of flavors. Major trends in the forecast period include clean label and natural ingredients, health-conscious offerings, innovative flavors and formats, premiumization and artisanal offerings, nostalgia and retro branding.

The rising consumer demand for sweets and chocolates is anticipated to boost the growth of the sugar confectionery market in the future. Sweets and chocolates are food products made by mixing roasted and ground cocoa beans with sugar powder and fat to create solid confections. These products encompass a variety of formulations and flavors, with sugar as a primary ingredient; consequently, the growing demand for sweets and chocolates directly drives the demand for the sugar confectionery market. For example, a report from the National Confectioners Association, a U.S.-based trade organization promoting chocolate, candy, gum, and mints, indicated that chocolate sales in the United States reached $48 billion in 2023, a notable increase from $42.6 billion in 2022. Thus, the escalating consumer demand for sweets and chocolates is a significant factor fueling the growth of the sugar confectionery market.

The growth of the sugar confectionery market is expected to be fueled by rising consumer spending on fast food. Consumer expenditure on fast food refers to the total amount spent by individuals and families on fast food items. Sugar confectionery products, like candies and sweet treats, are frequently included in fast food meals, contributing to the overall sugar intake linked to fast food consumption. For example, a report released by the United States Department of Agriculture in October 2024 revealed that in 2023, total food spending by consumers, businesses, and government entities in the U.S. hit a record $2.57 trillion, averaging $7,672 per person - a 7.5% increase from the previous year. This increase was significantly driven by a 12% rise in spending on food away from home, which went up from $4,004 per capita in 2022 to $4,485 in 2023. Thus, the increase in consumer expenditure on fast food is a key factor propelling the growth of the sugar confectionery market.

Product innovation emerges as a prominent trend in the sugar confectionery market, with major companies dedicating efforts to develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance their market positioning. A noteworthy example is Mars Incorporated, a US-based multinational confectionery manufacturer, which introduced the CO2COA in June 2022. This innovative product represents the first vegan milk chocolate bar, crafted with animal-free, lactose-free ingredients in an environmentally friendly format. Beyond its alternative protein energy content, CO2COA delights consumers with a delicious taste and embraces sustainable practices through its paper-based packaging.

Key players in the sugar confectionery market are actively introducing unique products, such as non-HFSS sweets, to optimize their market share and profitability. Non-HFSS (High in Fat, Salt, or Sugar) sweets align with regulations promoting healthier dietary choices by featuring reduced levels of saturated fat, salt, and sugar. A case in point is Rowntree’s, a UK-based confectionery brand and Nestlé UK Ltd. subsidiary, launching a new range of non-HFSS sweets in January 2023. These shareable gummy candies boast 30% less sugar than other Rowntree’s products, free from artificial coloring, flavoring, or sweeteners, and incorporate real fruit juice in various flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, orange, lemon, and apple. Nestlé's approach involves increasing fiber content and using soluble corn fiber to reduce sugar content. In this way, the company continues to innovate, addressing health-conscious consumer preferences.

In February 2024, Reliance Consumer Products, an India-based company specializing in consumer goods, acquired Ravalgaon Sugar Farm for $3.21 million. This acquisition enhanced Reliance's market presence and diversified its product portfolio. Ravalgaon Sugar Farm is a manufacturer of sugar confectionery based in India.

Major companies operating in the sugar confectionery market include Chupa Chups SA, Nestle S.A, Ferrero International SA, The Hershey Company, Lotte Confectionery Co. Ltd., Lindt & Sprüngli AG, PERFETTI VANMELLE PVT Ltd., Mars Incorporated, HARIBO Dunhills (Pontefract) Plc, Barry Callebaut AG, Ingredion Incorporated, Mondelez International, Meiji Co. Ltd., Pladis Global, Arcor Group, Crown Confectionery Co. Ltd., Orion Corporation, Morinaga & Co. Ltd., Roshen Confectionery Corp., August Storck KG, Yildiz Holding A.S., Jelly Belly Candy Co., Albanese Confectionery Group Inc., The Warrell Corp., Promotion In Motion Cos. Inc., Just Born Inc., Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.

North America was the largest region in the Sugar Confectionery market in 2024. The regions covered in the sugar confectionery market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the sugar confectionery market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Sugar confectioneries encompass sweet-tasting food products characterized by high sugar content and are traditionally associated with sugar-based applications. These confectioneries cater to customers' desires for sensory pleasure, personal indulgence, treats, comfort, sharing, social bonding, and moments of enjoyment.

The primary types of sugar confectioneries include hard-boiled sweets, caramel, toffees, gums, jellies, medicated confectionery, mints, marshmallows, nougat, lollipops, and liquorice. Hard-boiled sweets are small, firm candies offering a sweet, often fruity taste. These products are packaged in various forms such as sachets, boxes, and others, and are distributed through diverse channels including convenience stores, departmental stores, online retail platforms, traditional retail stores, as well as through traders, importers, and exporters.

The sugar confectionery market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides sugar confectionery market statistics, including sugar confectionery industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a sugar confectionery market share, detailed sugar confectionery market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the sugar confectionery industry. This sugar confectionery market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The sugar confectionery market consists of sales of sugar candies, chocolates, boiled sweets, chewing gums, and flavored candies. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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