The global chocolate confectionery market size is projected to reach USD 136.42 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.3% during the forecast period. Widespread awareness regarding the potential health benefits of chocolate is expected to play a central role in driving the growth of this market, states Fortune Business Insights™ in its report, titled “Chocolate Confectionery Market Size, Share COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Dark, Milk, and White), Category (Premium, Seasonal, and Everyday), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027”. Chocolate products, especially dark chocolate, offer a plethora of health benefits. Dark chocolate and cocoa are known to have more flavanols, polyphenols, and antioxidants compared to acai berries, blueberries, and many other naturally occurring consumable foods. Further, a dark chocolate bar holds considerable amounts of iron, copper, and fiber, bolstered with an additional variety of other nutrients. A research study in the National Institutes of Health found that consuming dark chocolate helps regulate blood pressure more efficiently as the presence of flavanols can activate the lining within the arteries, reducing the impediments to blood flow and lowering the risk of heart disorders. These benefits of dark chocolate are surging their consumption, which is propelling the global market growth.

Market Restraints

Shrinking Sales amid COVID-19 Pandemic to Stall Market Growth

The chocolate confectionery market growth is expected to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic as lockdown and social distancing measures have forced consumers to stay at home and retail shops to close down, albeit temporarily. Moreover, severe global economic downturn has led to job losses and plummeting revenues for businesses, which has arrested spending on non-essential foods such as chocolate products. This, in turn, has contracted sales of some of the major players in the chocolate confectionery industry. The Hershey Company, for instance, reported in April that its international net sales dipped by 8.1% to USD 192.5 million. Similarly, in July 2020, Lindt Spruengli, the Swiss chocolate maker, announced a fall in organic sales by 5-7% in the current year owing to store closures forced by COVID-19.

Regional Insights

North America to Have Dominating Lead in the Market Backed by High Demand for Premium Chocolates

With a market size of USD 19.50 billion in 2019, North America is anticipated to lead the chocolate confectionery market share during the forecast, mainly owing to the high demand for premium chocolate snacks and products among the consumers in the region. However, in the US, whose market volume stood at 1,410.20 thousand tons in 2019, the market is expected to experience limited growth owing to increasing resistance to high-sugar chocolate confectioneries and rising preference for low-sugar confectionery items.

In Europe, chocolate items are a central component in festivals in the region, which is the major factor augmenting the market growth. In Asia-Pacific, per capita consumption of chocolate products is increasing as a result of growing disposable income in the region. Large proportion of young population and evolving taste preferences are having a considerable influence on the growth trajectory of the market in the region.

Competitive Landscape

Heavy Investments in RD by Key Players to Create Healthy Competitive Atmosphere

The market for chocolate confectioneries is characterized by a healthy competitive climate as top companies are directing their energies towards elevating their RD capabilities. Moreover, some players in this market are also engaging in efforts towards establishing sustainable agriculture practices in key cocoa producing regions.

Industry Developments:

• July 2020: Mars, Incorporated announced its collaboration with World Agroforestry and the International Fund for Agricultural Development to initiate a 5-year-long research project called Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes. The project will be directed towards sustainably connecting small-scale cocoa and palm oil producers in Indonesia and the Philippines to global supply chains.
• October 2019: India-based ITC Limited released the world’s most expensive chocolate under its Fabelle brand. Priced at INR 4.3lakh per kilogram, the limited edition luxury chocolate dubbed ‘Trinity – Truffles Extraordinaire’ entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s costliest chocolate product.

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https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/chocolate-confectionery-market-100539