Licorice Candy Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2031

The global licorice candy market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.6% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the increasing demand for herbal ingredients, the rising popularity of functional candies, and the growing health consciousness among consumers.

The future of the global licorice candy market looks promising with opportunities in the supermarket, online sale, and convenient store markets.

• Within the type category, fruit flavored candy is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period.
• Within the application category, online sale is expected to witness the highest growth.
• In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.s for your business decisions with our comprehensive 150+ page report. Sample figures with some insights are shown below.

Emerging Trends in the Licorice Candy Market

The global licorice candy market is being shaped by several emerging trends that reflect evolving consumer preferences and a focus on health, natural ingredients, and novel flavor experiences.

• Natural and Healthier Ingredients: Consumers are increasingly seeking licorice candies made with natural licorice extract, natural sweeteners like stevia or honey, and without artificial colors or flavors. This trend drives demand for cleaner ingredient lists and healthier indulgence options.
• Flavor Innovation Beyond Classic Black: Companies are trying out more variety of flavor blends outside of classic black licorice, such as fruit infusions (e.g., raspberry, strawberry), mint flavors, and even savory flavor such as salted licorice, catering to a wider palate.
• Gourmet and Artisanal Products: There is increasing demand for high-end, small-batch, and artisanal licorice candies with interesting textures, premium ingredients, and upscale packaging for consumers who are prepared to pay more for a gourmet experience.
• Vegetarian and Vegan Products: The growth of plant-based diets is fueling demand for gelatin- and other animal-free licorice candies for vegetarian and vegan consumers looking for ethical and inclusive confectionery options.
• Functional Licorice Candies: Drawing on the purported health attributes of licorice root, functional licorice candies are emerging as products intended to calm a sore throat or support digestion, obscuring the distinction between confectionery and wellness products.

These movements are transforming the licorice candy market worldwide by expanding flavor portfolios, prioritizing healthier and natural ingredients, respecting dietary limitations, and tapping potential functional attributes, ultimately looking to expand its popularity beyond mainstream consumers.

Recent Developments in the Licorice Candy Market

Current developments in the global licorice candy market are driving its transformation and attempts at drawing a broader consumer segment towards it.

• Enhanced Extraction and Processing Methods: Enhancements in licorice root extraction and candy production processes are driving more consistent flavor, better texture, and better quality of the final product.
• Intensification of Sugar-Free and Low-Sugar Products: To address health issues, food makers are increasingly producing sugar-free and low-sugar licorice candies made with natural or artificial sweeteners to serve diabetic and healthy consumers.
• Introduction of New Textures and Forms: Product development innovation is leading to new textures other than the traditional chewy sticks in the form of soft gummies, hard candies, and two-layered licorice products, providing diversified sensory experiences.
• Improved Packaging for Freshness and Aesthetics: Advanced packaging technologies that guarantee freshness, are aesthetically pleasing, and provide convenience (e.g., resealable packets, single-serve containers) are increasingly found in the licorice candy industry.
• Greater Online Availability and Direct-to-Consumer Sales: Online platforms are offering wider availability of a greater number of licorice brands and flavors, including international and specialty brands, to consumers outside the conventional retail channels.

These advances are affecting the global licorice candy industry by meeting healthcare needs, presenting varied product experiences, enhancing quality and appearance, and making product access more accessible through e-retailing.

Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Licorice Candy Market

Several strategic growth opportunities exist in the global licorice candy industry across various applications, addressing diverse consumer tastes and market segments.

• Gourmet and Specialty Retail: Target specialty food stores, gourmet shops, and confectionery boutiques with specialty and gourmet licorice products to appeal to shoppers looking for distinctive and high-quality treats.
• Health and Wellness Sector: Creating and marketing licorice candies that use natural ingredients, have low sugar levels, or have functional attributes (e.g., throat lozenges) can target the health and wellness market segment.
• Novelty and Gift Products: Developing novel licorice candy shapes, gift packs, and seasonal products can attract consumers seeking novelty products and gifts.
• Flavor Combinations and Culinary Use: Encouraging the combination of licorice candy or licorice flavor with other foods (e.g., chocolate, coffee) or in cooking can extend its appeal beyond conventional confectionery.
• International Expansion and Niche Markets: Targeting and identifying particular international markets with a leaning towards licorice flavors or underpenetrated niche segments can open up new growth prospects.

These strategic growth prospects are influencing the global licorice candy market by broadening its market base, tapping into health and wellness trends, developing new product applications, and addressing particular consumer segments.

Licorice Candy Market Drivers and Challenges

The international licorice candy industry is shaped by a mix of driving factors and challenges that influence its development and growth.

The factors responsible for driving the licorice candy market include:

• Distinctive and Special Taste: The sweet but slightly bitter taste of licorice resonates with a loyal consumer segment looking for an exclusive taste experience distinct from other confectionery.
• Cultural Significance in Specific Markets: In the Netherlands and Germany, licorice candy is culturally important and has broad appeal across all age groups.
• Perceived Health Attributes: Licorice root is used in traditional medicine, and some people buy licorice candy for its perceived soothing or digestive attributes, even though these are not necessarily scientifically supported in confectionery form.
• Nostalgia and Tradition: For most consumers, licorice candies evoke a sense of nostalgia and are connected to childhood memories and traditional sweets.
• Availability and Variety: Growing availability of wider varieties of licorice and flavors, both offline and online, appeals to varying tastes and fuels consumption.

Challenges in the licorice candy market are:

• Polarizing Taste Profile: The intense, characteristic taste of licorice is neither universally accepted nor universally liked and can be very polarizing, confining its possible consumers to a smaller market than other more conventional confectionery.
• Health Issues Due to Glycyrrhizin: The glycyrrhizin content in licorice root can have negative effects on health when taken in large amounts, resulting in regulations and consumer vigilance.
• Competition from Other Confectionery: The market for licorice candy is highly competitive against a wide variety of other chocolate, sweet, and gummy confectionary candies that have wider appeal.

The licorice candy market globally is led by the unique taste of licorice, cultural attachments in some cultures, perceived nutritional advantages, and its nostalgic pull. Nevertheless, difficulties with polarized taste, health issues associated with it, and stiff confectionery industry competition restrict overall size and opportunities in the licorice candy market.

List of Licorice Candy Companies

Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies licorice candy companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base.

Some of the licorice candy companies profiled in this report include:

• Twizzzlers
• Red Vines
• Wiley Wallaby
• Venco
• Good & Plenty
• Halva
• Klene
• RJ’S
• Kraepelien & Holm
• Kenny’s Candy

Licorice Candy Market by Segment

The study includes a forecast for the global licorice candy market by type, application, and region.

Type [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• Original Black Licorice
• Fruit Flavored Candy

Application [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• Supermarket
• Online Sales
• Convenient Store

Region [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• The Rest of the World

Country-wise Outlook for the Licorice Candy Market

The global licorice candy market, based on its unique flavor profile that is obtained from the licorice root, is a complicated mix of regional tastes and changing consumer preferences. Recent trends in major regions reflect an increasing demand for natural and healthier ingredients, new and creative flavor combinations outside the classic black licorice, and the impact of cultural subtleties on consumption trends. In spite of competition from other confectionery, licorice candy has a loyal consumer base and is evolving in accordance with new market needs.

• United States: The US licorice candy market is fairly specialized, with black licorice being the prevalent form. Recent trends have involved growing availability of gourmet and artisanal licorice products, sometimes in the form of natural licorice extract and distinctive flavor infusions such as sea salt or fruit. There is also a growing consumer group looking for licorice alternatives based on natural sweeteners. The market consists of a blend of domestic and international brands.
• China: The Chinese licorice candy market is driven by traditional Chinese medicine, in which licorice root has been highly prized for centuries for its medicinal value. New trends involve the launch of licorice candies with additional herbal ingredients promoted for health reasons. Sweet and savory licorice snacks are also gaining popularity. Domestic production is high, and online retailing channels are increasing market coverage.
• Germany: Germany possesses a robust and varied licorice candy sector, with large numbers of both salty and sweet types in popular demand. The latest trends feature ongoing emphasis on quality ingredients and classic recipes. Organic and natural licorice products are emerging as strong options. Innovation exists in flavor pairs, such as fruit and mint infusions. Retailers have large selections of domestic and international licorice.
• India: The licorice taste is not as traditionally widespread in Indian sweets as other spices and sweets. Recent trends in the licorice candy industry are limited, with access largely through imported products in urban regions. There is a small but increasing demand for international sweets, including licorice, among younger consumers. Online shopping is an important outlet for these products.
• Japan: The Japanese licorice candy market is comparatively small, with a bias towards less strong and sweeter confectionery. New trends involve the availability of imported licorice candies, usually in smaller premium sizes. There is a niche demand for the distinctive flavor, mainly among consumers who have been exposed to it through foreign travel or media. Health-oriented licorice candies with natural sweeteners are also gaining ground.

Features of this Global Licorice Candy Market Report

• Market Size Estimates: Licorice candy market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
• Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2024) and forecast (2025 to 2031) by various segments and regions.
• Segmentation Analysis: Licorice candy market size by type, application, and region in terms of value ($B).
• Regional Analysis: Licorice candy market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World.
• Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different type, application, and regions for the licorice candy market.
• Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the licorice candy market.
• Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.

This report answers the following 11 key questions:

• What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the licorice candy market by type (original black licorice and fruit flavored candy), application (supermarket, online sales, and convenient store), and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
• Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
• Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
• What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
• What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
• What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
• What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
• What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
• Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
• What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
• What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?