Confectionery 27/28: Sector Outlook

Published 03 June 2026

Author

8 min read

The confectionery sector is bursting with enticing treats that defy traditional flavour and texture norms for today’s experience-driven sweet-toothed consumer. However, alongside providing delight, brands are also realigning the treating opportunity to meet consumer’s wellbeing needs via a wave of nutritionally packed bites.

Innovating Indulgence

Pushing Functional Boundaries

The Alt-Ingredient Flex

Pleasure continues to be the cornerstone of the confectionery sector as consumers of all ages seek both new-to-them tastes and textures as well as nostalgic favourites. Here, globally inspired ingredients intersect with swicy (sweet and spicy) flavour profiles, while contrasting textures provide multi-sensory surprise. Read Sweets & Snacks Trends 2026: ISM Cologne for more here.

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Consumers are increasingly exploring sweet treats that blur the line between candy and nutritional supplement. As such, the functional confectionery market is expected to almost double in size from $2.55bn in 2024 to $4.69bn by 2032 (Data Bridge, 2025). And GLP-1 agonists are changing confectionery consumption habits as consumers make room for smaller treats.

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As confections grapple with both climate-change-induced supply chain shocks and increasing calls for clean-label products from consumers and lawmakers, the pressure to create alternative ingredients that meet both challenges is mounting. Here, brands are partnering with biotech companies to develop toothsome cocoa substitutes, whilst candy giants are rushing to strip out artificial dyes.

Confectionery 27/28: Sector Outlook

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Topics

Farming & Agriculture

Food

Health & Wellness

Ingredients

Snacking

Taste & Flavour

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