Chocolate remains the ultimate comfort food. The chocolate confectionery market was estimated to be worth over $100 billion in retail sales globally in 2020 and it expected to continue growing.
Reports indicate that chocolate remained the top snack during the pandemic, although the industry is being pushed to innovate due to consumers demanding healthier and more sustainable options of their favourite indulgence.
Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate & cocoa products has identified four key chocolate trends to look out for:
1. Indulgent Moments
Since COVID-19, comfort food has become more important to consumers. Confectionery can support emotional well-being now, and in the "next normal." Whether consumers are seeking comfort, finding moments to celebrate, or looking for ways to escape the ordinary, chocolate has a role to play in those occasions.
Global consumers are also looking for premium chocolates with multiple flavours and textures for further indulgence.
2. Good For Me
We still want our chocolate confections and snacks to be treats, but consumers also want healthier options to bring into their repertoire. An increasing number of consumers are following eating lifestyles that have specialised needs, or seek extra goodness infused in their chocolate. This need for “better-for-me” alternatives is expected to accelerate, as health & wellbeing has become a top priority.
3. Chocolates I Trust
Cocoa is in the spotlight around the world from a sustainability perspective. More chocolate lovers want to make sure they can indulge in their favourite treat without harming the planet and its people. They also value where their chocolate comes from and what is in it as well as the craftsmanship of chocolate because it communicates quality they can trust.
4. Taking New Forms
The shift to “at home occasions” is reshaping and accelerating change in consumer behaviour. Chocolate remains a top flavour in treating, so manufacturers and brands are taking cocoa into new formats and categories to meet this new demand. As a result, chocolate categories continue to mutate and borders blur, while snacking and gifting are going through a little revolution. This is evident in the fact that 75% of global consumers want to try new and exciting chocolate experiences, for example hot chocolate bombs, or glossy chocolate orbs filled with cocoa mix, marshmallows, sprinkles, and other edible treats. The bombs are placed at the bottom bottom of a mug and as hot milk is poured over the bomb, the chocolate melts and the treats rise to the top.
Chemgrit Food sources and supplies a variety of ingredients into the confectionary industry. For information contact Chemgrit Food.
Sources: Confectionary News; Barry Callebaut
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