Chocolate Market Report 2026

The chocolate market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $145.94 billion in 2025 to $152.61 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global chocolate consumption, established confectionery manufacturing infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, growth of gifting culture, widespread retail distribution networks.

The chocolate market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $184.62 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing focus on ethical sourcing certifications, increasing demand for low-sugar formulations, expansion of online direct-to-consumer sales, rising innovation in plant-based chocolate, premiumization across emerging markets. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for premium and artisanal chocolates, expansion of sustainable cocoa sourcing practices, rising popularity of dark and functional chocolates, increased product innovation with flavors and fillings, growth of e-commerce chocolate sales.

The growing demand for chocolate snacks is expected to drive the expansion of the chocolate market in the coming years. Chocolate snacks encompass a wide range of appealing products that combine the rich and indulgent taste of chocolate with various ingredients and formats, such as chocolate-coated biscuits, almonds, and truffles. In these snacks, chocolate is used as a coating, filling, layer, stuffing, or flavoring to create products that cater to diverse consumer tastes and preferences, ranging from simple coated treats to more elaborate layered confections. For example, in March 2024, according to the 2024 State of Treating report released by the National Confectioners Association, a US-based trade organization, confectionery sales in the United States reached $48 billion in 2023, largely influenced by inflation. The report further forecasts that U.S. confectionery sales will experience strong growth, reaching $61 billion by 2028. Therefore, the rising demand for chocolate snacks is contributing to the growth of the chocolate market.

Major companies in the global chocolate market are focusing on expanding plant-based chocolate portfolios, such as dairy-free oat-based chocolate bars and filled confections, to attract vegan, lactose-intolerant, and flexitarian consumers seeking indulgent treats without dairy. Dairy-free oat-based chocolate bars and filled confections replace conventional milk ingredients with plant-based alternatives like oat drinks and nut inclusions while retaining a creamy texture, familiar chocolate taste, and brand-signature formats. For instance, in March 2023, The Hershey Company, a US-based confectionery and snacks company, launched Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt, a vegan chocolate bar made with oat-based ingredients that delivers a smooth, extra-creamy texture with almond and sea-salt inclusions, along with Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups, its first nationally distributed plant-based chocolate offering providing a dairy-free version of the classic peanut-butter-and-chocolate cup format.

In November 2023, Mars Inc., a US-based global confectionery and pet care company, acquired Hotel Chocolat Group plc for $651.48 million (£534 million). This strategic acquisition is expected to enhance Mars Inc.'s portfolio of premium chocolate products and expand its presence in the luxury chocolate market. Hotel Chocolat Group plc is a UK-based chocolate manufacturer that produces a wide range of chocolate-based products.

Major companies operating in the chocolate market are Barry Callebaut, The Hershey Company, Nestle SA, Mars Incorporated, Lotte Corporation, Mondelez International Inc., Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, Ferrero SpA, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Cémoi Group, Olam International Limited, Delfi Limited, Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd., Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd., Crown Confectionery Co. Ltd., Arcor Group, Moonstruck Chocolate Company, Blommer Chocolate Company, Patric Chocolate LLC, Perugina S.p.A., TCHO Ventures Inc., Theo Chocolate Inc., Thorntons Limited, Alter Eco Americas PBC, Endangered Species Chocolate LLC, Divine Chocolate Limited, Green & Black's Limited, Guylian NV.

Europe was the largest region in the chocolate market in 2025. The regions covered in the chocolate market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the chocolate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The chocolate market consists of sales of cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and cocoa powder. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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