Confectionery 24/25: Sector Outlook
Published 02 July 2024
Confectionery continues to be a category that provides joy for consumers globally. The sky’s the limit when it comes to flavour, with brands bringing forth unique creations using artificial intelligence (AI), reformatting much-loved traditional treats for a modern audience and experimenting with experiential textural candies. Meanwhile, the industry is facing growing wellness and sustainability challenges head-on.
Flavour Experimentation Evolves
Healthier Confection Directions
Kinder Candy
Confectionery brands are taking candy flavours and textures in new directions, from playful updates of traditional sweets and super-sour treatments to AI-imagined fantastical textural pairings. Many of these trends are inspired by TikTok, where candy has found a sweet spot: to date, more than 332 million videos relating to candy have been posted on the social media site.
Confectionery brands are taking candy flavours and textures in new directions, from playful updates of traditional sweets and super-sour treatments to AI-imagined fantastical textural pairings. Many of these trends are inspired by TikTok, where candy has found a sweet spot: to date, more than 332 million videos relating to candy have been posted on the social media site.
While indulgent treating continues to be important in the sugar confectionery category, many consumers are looking for sweet treats that feel indulgent but aren’t detrimental to their wellbeing. Sugar reduction efforts continue apace to keep up with demand, particularly for chocolate products. Smaller portions and functional ingredients are also feeding this need.
Climate change is having an alarming effect on the chocolate industry: its impacts forced cocoa prices to climb by 400% in the year to April 2024 (Food Navigator, 2024). The race to nurture the land for responsible cocoa bean cultivation and provide support for cocoa farmers is therefore on – as is finding viable alternatives to cocoa for the future.
Confectionery 24/25: Sector Outlook
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