Today’s market size shows candy revenues for the 52 weeks ended March 24, 2019, in the United States. Revenues for chocolate candy, totaling $14.1 billion, exceeded 55% of total candy revenue over this time period. However, this was 1.3% lower than the previous 52 week period. Non-chocolate candy, gum, and breath freshener revenues totaled $7.4 billion, $3.1 billion, and $776 million, respectively. Sales of gum grew by 2%. Non-chocolate candy sales increased by 0.8%. But sales of breath fresheners decreased by 3.8% from the year prior.
As in other sectors of the food and beverage industry, consumers are seeking better-for-you options in the candy aisle too. For consumers, “organic” labeling implies the food is pesticide-free, preservative-free and hormone-free. To replace “natural” labeling, which many see as a gimmick, manufacturers are using “free-from” labeling, such as “GMO-free” and “gluten-free”, to communicate to the consumer that their products do not have ingredients that may be perceived as unhealthy. With low-carb diets trending, sugar-free chocolate candy saw a 19.2% increase in sales from the prior year, led in part by a 152% jump in sales of Lily’s Sweets, the number two selling sugar-free chocolate candy behind Russell Stover, which saw a 13% increase in sales.1 Consumers still consider dark chocolate healthier, but they also seek indulgence. As a result, manufacturers are combining different types of chocolate, using higher-quality, ethically-sourced ingredients, offering unique flavors, and adding nuts and fruits to their dark chocolate products.
In North America in 2019, Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S. topped sales with $18 billion, followed by Mondelez International ($11.9 billion), The Hershey Co. ($7.95 billion), Ferrero ($2.9 billion), General Mills ($2.1 billion), Kellogg Co. ($1.89 billion), Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc. ($1.7 billion), Barcel S.A. ($1 billion), Clif Bar & Co. ($900 million) and KIND Healthy Snacks ($719 million). Mars Wrigley Confectionary also led in sales worldwide.2
1 Russell Stover sugar-free chocolate sales totaled $95.4 million. Lily’s Sweets sugar-free chocolate sales totaled $13.7 million.
2 Candy Industry Magazine reports both North American and global sales for Mars Wrigley Confectionery as $18 billion.
Geographic reference: United States
Year: 2018-2019
Market size: $25.38 billion
Sources: “The State of the Global Candy Industry in 2019,” Candy Industry Magazine, June 10, 2019 available online here; Laurnie Wilson, “Infographic: Americans Say Chocolate, Chips Are Top Quarantine Comfort Snacks,” Civic Science, April 1, 2020 available online here; “Sweet 60 2019: The Top Candy Companies in North America,” Candy Industry Magazine available online here; “2019 Global Top 100 Candy Companies: Part 1,” Candy Industry Magazine available online here.
Original source: IRI
Image source: Patrick Fore, “Jelly Beans,” Unsplash, February 26, 2018 available online here.