Chocolate confectionery in the US is registering solid though inflation-driven value sales growth in 2025, while retail volumes have been in decline since 2022. A primary contributor to this downward trend is the sharp spike in cocoa prices that began in 2024. The rise in cocoa costs significantly increased production expenses, resulting in higher retail prices and prompting greater consumer price sensitivity, especially towards non-essential, indulgent products. In 2025, all members of chocolat

Value sales of chocolate confectionery are set to grow in 2025, primarily due to increased unit prices. The category is expected to continue the same trend observed in 2023 and 2024, with high price inflation leading to declines in retail volume, while supporting modest but positive value growth. Countlines remains the largest category, set to follow the overarching trend of negative volume sales, but positive value growth.

Value sales of chocolate confectionery are set to increase in Japan in current terms in 2025. As global cocoa prices soar, the cost of chocolate products in Japan has also increased, prompting consumers to shift towards alternative sweet treats such as chocolate-coated biscuits. Despite a decline in volume sales during 2024 and 2025, value sales have seen an upward trend due to higher unit prices. Within this changing market, tablets – which are relatively low-priced items with a high chocolate

Value sales of chocolate confectionery in China have been rising over 2024 and 2025, with several factors explaining growth here. Both global and local chocolate brands are expanding their presence through enhanced distribution channels such as snack shops in low-tier cities and social e-commerce platforms. However, value growth is showing signs of slowing in 2025, suggesting potential challenges arising from the macroeconomic context.

Current value sales of chocolate confectionery rose modestly in Denmark in 2025, supported by steady consumer demand and an ongoing preference for indulgent, high-quality treats. Despite rising production costs linked to the global cocoa situation, chocolate remains a staple for a wide variety of occasions, from everyday enjoyment to seasonal gifting. Growth was especially evident in seasonal chocolate and boxed assortments, which gained from new flavour launches and gifting-friendly packaging.

In 2025, the UK chocolate confectionery market is set to achieve strong double-digit growth in current value terms. However, this performance is primarily inflation-led rather than volume-driven. The inflationary pressure within chocolate confectionery is particularly pronounced, positioning it as a notable outlier in a broader retail environment where inflationary trends have begun to stabilise. As a result, retail volume sales are expected to contract, reflecting the impact of elevated unit pr

Chocolate confectionery in South Korea is feeling the impact of environmental factors in 2025. Driven by climate change and crop disease, global cocoa bean supply has declined, leading to significant price increases in 2024 and 2025. The surge in raw material costs has resulted in a double-digit year-on-year increase in unit prices, particularly in 2025. As a result, the retail value of the chocolate confectionery category has grown.

According to the International Cocoa Organization, global cocoa supply is expected to decline by nearly 11% during the 2023/2024 season. Global cocoa prices continue to witness record highs due to shortage of supply from Africa, which is the primary region for the production of cocoa globally. Crop production has been impacted by unseasonal rains and damage to crops, which has impacted the global ecosystem for cocoa. The production of cocoa in India is low, and the country is heavily dependent o

Demand for chocolate confectionery in Brazil continues to rise in 2024. Traditionally, Brazilians have a strong habit of giving gifts on special dates (such as “dia dos namorados” – the local version of Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, or even when visiting someone from their social circle). Together with fragrances, apparel, flowers and visits to restaurants, chocolate confectionery remains among the most important options for these occasions requiring a gift. Demand for gifts becomes

Following a four-year period of declining sales, the market for chocolate confectionery is expected to see positive, albeit modest growth, in retail volume terms in 2024. Recovery is being tempered by challenges such as escalating commodity prices and rising supply chain costs, which have led many manufacturers to increase their prices. As a result, value growth is anticipated to outpace volume growth. With consumers looking to reduce their expenditure, discretionary items like chocolate confect

Chocolate confectionery is achieving positive value gains in Indonesia, thanks to high unit prices, with retail volume also in small positive retail growth. The high unit prices in chocolate confectionery are attributed to the high costs of cocoa, globally, in particular. Notably, a large percentage of cocoa is grown in West African countries which are vulnerable to weather factors such as drought, crop disease, and uncertainties surrounding geopolitical issues. Cocoa farmers are also struggling

Chocolate confectionery in South Africa is set to maintain retail current value growth in 2024. However, this growth is due to price rises as a result of high food inflation, with retail volume sales expected to continue to decline in this year. With rising prices and constrained household budgets, some consumers have been reducing their spending on non-essential items, including chocolate confectionery. In response to this, many brands have been seeing declining sales, and are having to employ

The market for chocolate confectionery in Malaysia is set to see a stagnant performance in retail volume terms in 2024. Demand is being impacted by ongoing price rises, as input costs spiral to an all-time high. Cacao prices, for example, surged at the beginning of the year, due to unfavourable weather conditions in West Africa, home to a significant proportion of the world’s cacao supply. With production having failed to keep pace with demand, prices of chocolate confectionery have been severel

Premium-oriented varieties with superior quality ingredients and more sophisticated flavours have continued to perform strongly in chocolate confectionery in Guatemala in 2024. Local and international players alike have seen increased interest in such options, prominent examples of which include Tutto Chocolate with Baileys Irish Cream, Colombina Chocolate Con Leche Moments, Gallito Morenito with Caramelised Almonds, Ghirardelli Intense Dark Toffee Almond, Turin Dark Chocolate with Johnnie Walke

Chocolate confectionery sales boomed in Uruguay in 2023, driven primarily by a surge in promotional activity and discounted pricing. With inflation outpacing price increases in the category, manufacturers adopted aggressive promotional strategies across all channels, from modern grocery retailers to small local stores. This aimed to not only boost sales but also position chocolate as a more affordable snacking option compared to alternatives. Supermarkets and hypermarkets witnessed a more consis

Retail value sales of chocolate confectionery in Australia continue to rise in 2024, despite a further fall in overall demand. Chocolate prices have been a significant issue globally, due to production issues with cocoa beans driving up the cost of production. A combination of climate and economic issues is resulting in cocoa production suffering in West Africa, a region which produces between 60-70% of cocoa beans used globally. As a result, the growth in the average unit price of chocolate con

Chocolate confectionery is relatively small in Pakistan in terms of value share. However, it is expected to perform strongly in 2024, with healthy constant value and volume growth, only partly explained by population growth. This positive picture is in spite of continuing soaring inflation, though growth has eased from the previous year. The economy is showing signs of stabilisation and this is expected to boost consumer confidence. The currency is also more stable, which is expected to benefit

Chocolate confectionery in Uzbekistan is expected to register healthy volume growth, though constant value growth is expected to be muted, as high inflation sees consumers trading down to an extent. Players also support volume sales by offering frequent discounts and promotions. Continuing population growth also supports volume sales.

Chocolate confectionery is seeing positive volume growth in Kazakhstan in 2024, with value being supported by price hikes. Notably, there has been an increase in the cost of cocoa globally, thus affecting the chocolate confectionery industry. However, on the positive side, supply chains have been reestablished since the era of disruptions, so we are seeing an increase in the number of available brands in the country. At the same time, however, there is also an increase in the number of “grey imp

The market for chocolate confectionery in Lithuania is set to register modest growth in retail volume terms in 2024, in contrast to the static performance previous year. This is due mainly due a decline in the rate of inflation, which will increase the purchasing power of households and encourage consumption. However, manufacturers are still experiencing rising operating costs, with prices of cocoa beans, for example, the most important raw material in chocolate confectionery, continuing to rise

Chocolate confectionery is seeing steady growth in value and volume terms in 2024. Chocolate is often associated with mood enhancement and stress relief and as such it has remained extremely popular in 2024 as consumers pursue increasingly busy lives. Although economic pressures have put pressure on sales as consumers have been forced to focus on basic necessities, these pressures have also helped to create a demand for small indulgences, such as chocolate confectionery. There is also a developi

Retail volume sales of chocolate confectionery in the Philippines increased modestly in 2020 and 2021. Nonetheless, demand benefited from robust at-home consumption during the (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the category saw stronger growth in 2022; demand gained momentum as restrictions eased and consumers started returning to their pre-pandemic lifestyles and habits. Consumers returning to the office, school and on-the-go activities helped to drive stronger growth as the country started to emerg

Chocolate confectionery in Estonia saw an increase in value terms, whilst volume sales declined in 2024. This reduction in volume in the year is attributable to reduced chocolate confectionery consumption as a result of price hikes due to elevated cocoa prices. To mitigate the impact of price increases, companies are proactively storing cocoa beans; however, the importance of maintaining uninterrupted production is forcing companies requiring beans to purchase them at inflated prices.

It is expected to be a muted performance for chocolate confectionery in Algeria in 2024. With inflation continuing to be high, there is only expected to be minimal constant value and volume growth. As such, value for money continues to be a key driver of sales, with consumers being highly price sensitive. Economy brands benefit, with many consumers trading down. This negatively impacts more expensive, imported brands.