Chocolate Confectionery Market Report 2026

The chocolate confectionery market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $186.6 billion in 2025 to $193.97 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of cocoa processing capacity, rising use of chocolate in bakery and beverages, increasing consumer indulgence spending, growth of mass-market chocolate brands, development of global distribution channels.

The chocolate confectionery market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $232.03 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for functional chocolate beverages, rising focus on antioxidant-rich products, expansion of premium chocolate consumption, increasing online specialty retailing, innovation in flavor-infused chocolate applications. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for clean-label chocolate ingredients, rising use of chocolate in food and beverage applications, growing preference for dark chocolate variants, expansion of specialty and gourmet chocolate products, enhanced focus on health-oriented chocolate formulations.

The expanding growth of e-commerce is expected to drive the chocolate confectionery market in the coming years. E-commerce involves the buying and selling of goods and services through online platforms. These platforms are increasingly used for the sale and distribution of chocolate confectionery products, offering consumers the convenience of purchasing from their homes. For example, in August 2023, according to the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% compared to the same period in 2022, while total retail sales rose by 0.6%. Additionally, online stores accounted for 15.4% of total retail sales during the second quarter of 2023. Therefore, the continued expansion of e-commerce is fueling the growth of the chocolate confectionery market.

Major companies in the chocolate confectionery market are adopting strategic partnerships to create innovative sweets made from real fruit. Strategic partnerships involve leveraging each company’s strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For instance, in May 2023, The Hershey Company, a US-based chocolate and snack company, partnered with Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. to produce a product line made of real fruit. The collection includes milk chocolate-covered cranberry bites and dark chocolate-coated cherry-infused cranberry bites, offering surprising taste combinations. The partnership allows for multi-serve lockable pouches in 5oz and 8oz sizes, suitable for on-the-go snacking, trail mixes, or ice cream toppings. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is a US-based cooperative of cranberry farmers.

In June 2023, Puratos, a Belgium-based provider of ingredients for bakers and chocolatiers, acquired Foley's Chocolates. This acquisition enhances Puratos's market share and manufacturing capabilities in North America, making Foley's the second-largest chocolate producer in Canada. The deal allows Puratos to expand its chocolate portfolio to include innovative plant-based and health-focused products. Foley's Chocolates is a Canada-based chocolate producer.

Major companies operating in the chocolate confectionery market are Barry Callebaut AG, Mondelez International Inc., Nestlé S.A., The Hershey Company, Ferrero Group, Mars Incorporated, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Grupo Arcor, Chocoladenfabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., Moonstruck Chocolatier Co., Chocolaterie Guylian, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Archer Daniels Midland Company, AMCO GmbH, Cargill Incorporated, Cocoatrade Limited, Ecom Cocoa International, Gerkens Cacao GmbH, ICAM S.p.A., Olam International Limited, Puratos Group NV, Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, Sarotti AG, August Storck KG, United Confectioners Group, Venchi S.p.A., Villars Maître Chocolatier SA, Wedel S.A.

Europe was the largest region in the chocolate confectionery market in 2025. The regions covered in the chocolate confectionery market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the chocolate confectionery market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The chocolate confectionery market consists of sales of chocolate-covered candies, chocolate bars, and chocolate-covered fruits. 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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