The global chocolate market continues to thrive in 2020 as the largest chocolate companies in the world are experiencing substantial growth in their chocolate sales. Despite the increasing health concerns over the sugar confectionery products, the global demand for chocolate sweets has maintained a steady growth rate over the recent years. The constant introduction and launch of new premium chocolate and organic chocolate products with a focus on price, packaging, and ingredients by the world鈥檚 major chocolate manufacturers are believed to be the main reason that drives the global chocolate market to grow further in the near future.
This industry fact sheet is to assist industry professionals, investors, and people in general that are interested in gaining insights into global sugar confectionery and chocolate industry including:
- How much is the chocolate industry worth?
- What are the factors driving the global chocolate market growth?
- Who is the biggest chocolate maker in the world?
- Who are the top 10 chocolate companies in the world 2020?
- What are the chocolate market trends for future?
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Global Chocolate Market Overview 2020
The global chocolate market size was already worth over US$130 billion in 2019, and it鈥檚 expected to grow with a strong CAGR of almost 5% by 2024, according to the recent market report from Technavio. The latest market trend has seen top 10 chocolate companies coming up with new and innovative flavors and launching diverse products to cater to the changing consumer demands. There is growing preference for products like low and reduced sugar chocolates and consumers are also opting for chocolate brands that use organic ingredients. They are also selling chocolates in small, attractive packs, targeted at calorie-conscious consumers who prefer consuming smaller quantities of chocolates.
The booming chocolate market around the world has also facilitated the rise of the global cocoa market. According the recent figures obtained by 91制片厂, 90% of the global cocoa beans produced are consumed for chocolate production, and over 4 million metric tons of cocoa beans are produced each year. Global production of cocoa beans in 2015 was peaked at 4.36 million metric tons. Cote d鈥橧voire, also known as Ivory Coast, is the world鈥檚 largest cocoa producing country with 1.472 million metric tons of cocoa production every year.
Top 10 Largest Chocolate Companies in the World 2020
| Rank | Companies | 2019 Net Sales (US$ billion) |
| 1 | Mars Wrigley Confectionery (USA) | 18 |
| 2 | Ferrero Group (Luxembourg / Italy) | 13 |
| 3 | Mondel膿z International (USA) | 11.8 |
| 4 | Meiji Co Ltd (Japan) | 9.7 |
| 5 | Hershey Co (USA) | 8.0 |
| 6 | 狈别蝉迟濒茅 SA (Switzerland) | 7.9 |
| 7 | Lindt & Spr眉ngli AG (Switzerland) | 4.6 |
| 8 | Pladis (UK) | 4.5 |
| 9 | Ezaki Glico Co Ltd (Japan) | 3.2 |
| 10 | Orion Corp (South Korea) | 1.8 |
Source: ICCO
Mars Wrigley Confectionery (USA)
Leading the chart of the world鈥檚 largest chocolate companies is the American confectioner Mars Inc owns some of the most famous sweets brands in the world, including M&Ms, Galaxy, Snickers, Skittles, and, of course, Mars bars. With over US$18 billion in annual sales, it is the sixth largest privately-held company in America, and the largest player in the sugar confectionery industry globally.
Ferrero Group (Luxembourg / Italy)
Founded in Italy, Ferrero has long been one of the world鈥檚 top chocolate companies in the world with over $13 billion annual sales. Ferrero invented the hazelnut cream filled chocolate product Ferrero Rocher, which now has become one of the top chocolate brands in the world. Its other famous chocolate brands include Kinder and Nutella.
Mondel膿z International (USA)
The American food giant Mondelez, formed in 2012, now owns some of the most famous confectionery and chocolate brands in the world such as Oreo, Milka, Toblerone, TUC, and Cadbury. The company currently operates in over 80 countries and generates annual revenue of around $12 billion, making it one of the top 10 largest chocolate companies in the world.
Meiji Co Ltd (Japan)
Based in Tokyo, Japan, Meiji gains its $9.7 billion annual sales from its pharmaceutical products as well as its sugar confectioneries. Meiji鈥檚 major confectionery products include chocolate bars, biscuits, panned confections, gummies, jellies, licorice, chews, fruit snacks and jelly beans, and gum. the Meiji’s chocolate lineup includes nearly 130 products, including chocolate snacks and cocoa-rich chocolate.
Hershey Co (USA)
Hershey is one of the largest confectionery and chocolate snacks companies in the US. Its $8 billion annual sales are generated from its major products including chocolate bars, biscuits and wafers, chocolates, hard candy, and other sweets.
狈别蝉迟濒茅 SA (Switzerland)
The Swiss food and beverage giant 狈别蝉迟濒茅 is not only one of the world鈥檚 largest sugar confectionery manufacturers, but it is also the world鈥檚 largest food & beverage company with over $8 billion annual sales. The company currently has over 335,000 employees and more than 2000 brands ranging from global icons to local favourites presenting in 191 countries around the world.
Lindt & Spr眉ngli AG (Switzerland)
Headquartered in Kilchberg, Switzerland, Lindt is one of the world鈥檚 most famous chocolates and truffles manufacturers. Its annual sales are nearly $4 billion. While demand for the company鈥檚 products in the US has diminished greatly over the last few years, the brand has maintained popularity across Europe, and in Australia, where Lindt ice cream is available.
Pladis (UK)
Based in London, UK, Pladis has annual revenues of $4.5 billion and operates in 120 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The company has 34 factories in 13 countries and mainly operates in all major categories of chocolate, biscuits, cake, candy, and gum. Its three core brands include McVitie鈥檚, Ulker and GODIVA.
Ezaki Glico Co Ltd (Japan)
Ezaki is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. With over 24 major plants and nearly 5000 employees, its annual sales reached over $3.2 billion. Ezaki is one of the largest sugar confectionery and snack manufacturers in Asia. Its signature products include chocolate Bars, biscuits and wafers, truffles, pralines and filled chocolates, moulded chocolate figures and shapes, panned confections, toffee and caramel, nuts/seed candies, bars, bark, brittles and marzipan, and hard candies. Its best selling product is a chocolate covered biscuit stick known as Pocky.
Orion Corp (South Korea)
Orion is a South Korean confectionery and chocolate snacks company, headquartered Seoul. It is one of the top 3 chocolate companies in South Korea. Today, Orion is well recognised as one of the world鈥檚 top chocolate brands and its signature Choco Pie is among the best-selling chocolate snack products in Asia. The company other key products include biscuits, cookies, pies, gum, snacks, chocolate, and candy. Orion has manufacturing facilities across its major markets including China, Russia, Vietnam, and the United States.
Global Chocolate Market Trends for Future
One of the recent developments in the global chocolate and cocoa market is the growing inclination towards Fair Trade certified products. Such chocolate products are made from cocoa produced from farms that do not indulge in inhuman practices such as slavery and child labor. The Fair-Trade organization have been dedicated to promotion of trade relationships that support livable incomes for farmers, laborers and families of cocoa growers through commitment to prices that produce a stable economic and social environment.
Over the recent years, growing number of leading chocolate companies are also introducing healthy chocolates such as organic, vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free chocolates to cater to the health-conscious consumers. It is expected that the increasing incidences of health problems, weight management issues, and the demand for nutritious food will influence the global chocolate market to produce more healthy sugar-free and gluten-free chocolates in the near future.
Read more:
Top 10 Cocoa Producing Countries in the World
Top 10 World鈥檚 Largest Food & Beverage Companies
List of Swiss Chocolate Brands
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