Global Chocolate Market – Insights
Chocolate is a typically sweet, usually brown comfort food prepared from cocoa tree in the form of blocks, liquid, or paste. Chocolate is used as flavoring ingredients in several foodstuffs, such as chocolate brownies, cakes, chocolate cookies, bars, and candies. The main ingredient cocoa provides phytochemicals, which is an antioxidant. The content of phytochemicals is high in dark chocolates. Chocolate increases serotonin levels in the brain and the gut and improves immune system.
The increasing awareness of health benefits associated with chocolate is major factor propelling growth of the chocolate market. Consuming chocolate offers health benefits such as blood pressure suppressing property, antioxidant enrichment, and anti-aging. Furthermore, increasing demand for chocolate and chocolate-base products on seasonal and festival occasion significantly contributes to growth of the chocolate market. High demand for chocolate in confectionery market further fuels growth of the market. For instance, according to Coherent Market Insights’ analysis, the confectionery market is expected to witness CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period of 2017 - 2025.
Europe led the chocolate market and is expected to grow at CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period, 2017-2025. It is expected to be valued at US$ 43.20 billion by 2025. According to National Confectionary Association (NCA), Germany led one-fourth of the Western European in sales and consumption in 2016. North America is the second largest chocolate market with the U.S being major economy in the region. It has the highest consumption of chocolate and presence of international players such as Mars, Mondelez, etc. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in chocolate market, owing to the growth of multinational companies in the region such as Mars, Hershey’s, Ferrero, and Ghirardelli. Also, high consumption of chocolate by growing population is propelling the demand for the growth of chocolate market over the forecast period.
By price range, economy range chocolate has the highest demand. During festivals such as Christmas, Easter, and Diwali demand for economy range and mid-range chocolate is high due to large population of low-income economy. According to World Bank PovcalNet Database, around 56% of global population is low-income and around 13% is middle-income population. Among products type, molded bars have the highest shares and it was valued at US$ 35.34 billion in 2016.
Figure 1. Global Chocolate Market Share, By Flavor, 2016

Source: Coherent Market Insights (2017)
Among flavored chocolates, milk chocolates dominates the global chocolate market, which was valued at US$ 39.49 billion in 2016 and it is growing at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period of 2017 - 2025. Dark chocolates have the second largest market growing with a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period of 2017 - 2025. Owing to various health benefits and increased awareness among the peoples regarding dark cocoa chocolates is expected to propel the demand for dark chocolates over forecast period.
According to the International Cocoa Organization, the net sales of the Mars Inc. was at the peak in 2016 with US$ 18000 Million followed by, Mondelez International with US$ 12,900 Million.
Major Players in the Chocolate Market:
Some of the major players in the chocolate market include Mars, Hershey, Nestlé, Barry Callebaut, Kraft Foods, Ferrero, Moonstruck Chocolatier Co., Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., and Mondelez International (Cadbury).
Chocolate is regarded as one of the highly profitable components and is denoted as a multibillion-dollar market, which is expected to conquer new levels over the forecast period. It is a type of sweet mainly prepared from cacao seeds, which are roasted and ground. Amount of cacao added while preparing decides the different variety of chocolates to be produced. It has also made its way in vast number of food items, such as cookies, cakes, brownies, pudding, mouse, hot and cold beverages, and various other dishes with increase in demand and innovation. As taste is the major preference among the consumers, companies are focusing on making a product that is accepted worldwide.
Market Dynamics
Major drivers propelling the growth of chocolate market includes wide range of application such as flavored food items and confectionary products. Milk chocolates dominates the flavored chocolate market, followed by dark chocolate. According to coherent market insights, global milk chocolate market is valued US$ 39.49 billion in 2016. Rising awareness about the health benefits of dark chocolate, such as potential cancer prevention, improved heart health, maintaining cholesterol level, and high antioxidant level is expected to boost the growth of chocolate market over the forecast period. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), cocoa chocolate has cancer protective properties along with it is strong antioxidant effects with a pleasurable eating experience.
Key features of the study:
- This report provides in-depth analysis of chocolate market, market size (US$ Million), and Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR %) for the forecast period (2017 – 2025), considering 2016 as the base year.
- It elucidates potential revenue opportunity across different segments and explains attractive investment proposition matrix for this market.
- This study also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approval, regional outlook, and competitive strategy adopted by the leading players.
- It profiles leading players in the global Chocolate market based on the following parameters – company overview, financial performance, product portfolio, geographical presence, distribution strategies, key developments and strategies and future plans.
- Key companies covered as a part of this study include Mars, Hershey, Nestlé, Barry Callebaut, Kraft Foods, Ferrero, Moonstruck Chocolatier Co., Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., Mondelez International (Cadbury).
- Insights from this report would allow marketers and the management authorities of the companies to make informed decision regarding their future product launch, technology up-gradation, market expansion and marketing tactics.
- The global chocolate market report caters to various stakeholders in this industry including investors, suppliers, Chocolate manufacturers, distributors, new entrants, and financial analysts.
- Stakeholders would have ease in decision making through the various strategy matrices used in analyzing the Chocolate market.
Detailed Segmentation:
- Global Chocolate Market, By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- Global Chocolate Market, By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bittersweet
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- Global Chocolate Market, By Product Types:
- Box Chocolate
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- Global Chocolate Market, By Distribution Channel:
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Global Chocolate Market, By Geography:
- North America
- U.S.
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Canada
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Europe
- U.K.
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Germany
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Italy
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- France
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Russia
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Rest of Europe
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Asia Pacific
- China
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- India
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Japan
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- ASEAN
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Australia
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- South Korea
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Latin America
- Brazil
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Mexico
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Rest of Latin America
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Middle East
- GCC
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Israel
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Africa
- North Africa
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Central Africa
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- South Africa
- By Price Range:
- Economic Chocolate
- Mid-Range Chocolate
- Premium Chocolate
- By Flavor:
- White Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Bitter Chocolate
- Semi-sweet
- Others
- By Product Types
- Box Chocolates
- Chocolate Countlines
- Chocolate Straightlines
- Molded Bars
- Novelties
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- Supermarket
- Hypermarket
- Convenience Store
- Online Channel
- Departmental Store
- Others
- Company Profiles
- Mars*
- Company Overview
- Product Portfolio
- Financial Performance
- Key Strategies
- Recent Developments
- Future Plans
- Hershey
- Nestlé
- Barry Callebaut
- Kraft Foods
- Ferrero
- Moonstruck Chocolatier Co.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.
- Mondelez International (Cadbury)
“*” marked represents similar segmentation in other categories in the respective section.