Market overview
The global confectionery market is worth USD 272 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 422 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Chocolate confectionery is the largest by product segment.
| Scope | Chocolate, sugar confectionery, chewing gum and mints sold to consumers worldwide, valued at retail. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 260 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 272 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 422 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 21,515 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 27,409 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 12,630 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Confectionery market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 272 bn |
| 2027 | USD 284 bn |
| 2028 | USD 297 bn |
| 2029 | USD 310 bn |
| 2030 | USD 324 bn |
| 2031 | USD 339 bn |
| 2032 | USD 354 bn |
| 2033 | USD 370 bn |
| 2034 | USD 386 bn |
| 2035 | USD 404 bn |
| 2036 | USD 422 bn |
Confectionery market segmentation
By product
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate confectionery | 55.0% | 58.2% | USD 149 bn | 5.1% |
| Sugar confectionery | 30.0% | 28.8% | USD 81.5 bn | 4.1% |
| Gum and mints | 10.0% | 7.9% | USD 27.2 bn | 2.1% |
| Seasonal and other confections | 5.0% | 5.0% | USD 13.6 bn | 4.6% |
By channel
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets and hypermarkets | 46.0% | 41.4% | USD 125 bn | 3.4% |
| Convenience stores | 22.0% | 20.8% | USD 59.8 bn | 3.9% |
| Online | 8.0% | 14.5% | USD 21.7 bn | 10.9% |
| Travel retail and gifting | 8.0% | 8.3% | USD 21.7 bn | 4.9% |
| Specialty and other | 16.0% | 15.1% | USD 43.5 bn | 3.9% |
By ingredient claim
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional sugar | 72.0% | 62.0% | USD 196 bn | 3.0% |
| Sugar-free and reduced sugar | 20.0% | 25.0% | USD 54.3 bn | 6.9% |
| Functional and vitamin-enriched | 8.0% | 13.0% | USD 21.7 bn | 9.7% |
By price tier
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 58.0% | 53.0% | USD 158 bn | 3.6% |
| Premium | 30.0% | 32.0% | USD 81.5 bn | 5.2% |
| Luxury and artisan | 12.0% | 15.0% | USD 32.6 bn | 6.9% |
By consumer age
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children | 26.0% | 23.0% | USD 70.6 bn | 3.2% |
| Teens and young adults | 32.0% | 31.0% | USD 86.9 bn | 4.2% |
| Adults | 42.0% | 46.0% | USD 114 bn | 5.5% |
Top 25 countries for confectionery by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 62.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 86.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 54.3 bn | 20.0% | USD 78.9 bn | 3.8% |
| 2 | China | USD 19.0 bn | 7.0% | USD 36.7 bn | 6.8% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 16.3 bn | 6.0% | USD 22.4 bn | 3.2% |
| 4 | United Kingdom | USD 16.3 bn | 6.0% | USD 22.4 bn | 3.2% |
| 5 | Russia | USD 12.2 bn | 4.5% | USD 16.9 bn | 3.3% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 12.2 bn | 4.5% | USD 15.2 bn | 2.2% |
| 7 | France | USD 10.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 15.2 bn | 3.4% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 10.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 17.3 bn | 4.8% |
| 9 | India | USD 9.5 bn | 3.5% | USD 23.2 bn | 9.3% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 8.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 11.4 bn | 3.4% |
| 11 | Mexico | USD 7.9 bn | 2.9% | USD 12.7 bn | 4.8% |
| 12 | Canada | USD 7.9 bn | 2.9% | USD 12.7 bn | 4.8% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 7.9 bn | 2.9% | USD 12.7 bn | 4.8% |
| 14 | Poland | USD 7.0 bn | 2.6% | USD 11.1 bn | 4.8% |
| 15 | Turkey | USD 6.0 bn | 2.2% | USD 9.6 bn | 4.8% |
| 16 | Australia | USD 5.1 bn | 1.9% | USD 8.2 bn | 4.8% |
| 17 | South Korea | USD 4.4 bn | 1.6% | USD 7.1 bn | 4.8% |
| 18 | Netherlands | USD 3.8 bn | 1.4% | USD 6.1 bn | 4.8% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 3.3 bn | 1.2% | USD 5.2 bn | 4.8% |
| 20 | Indonesia | USD 2.8 bn | 1.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 6.0% |
| 21 | Saudi Arabia | USD 2.4 bn | 0.9% | USD 3.9 bn | 4.8% |
| 22 | Argentina | USD 2.1 bn | 0.8% | USD 3.3 bn | 4.8% |
| 23 | Switzerland | USD 1.8 bn | 0.7% | USD 2.9 bn | 4.8% |
| 24 | Sweden | USD 1.5 bn | 0.6% | USD 2.5 bn | 4.9% |
| 25 | Ukraine | USD 1.3 bn | 0.5% | USD 2.2 bn | 4.9% |
| Rest of world | USD 36.7 bn | 13.5% | USD 57.4 bn | 4.6% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Mars
- Mondelez International
- Ferrero
- Hershey Company
- Nestle
- Lindt & Spruengli
- Yildiz Holding
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Meiji
- Haribo
- Perfetti Van Melle
- Lotte
- Orion
- Barry Callebaut
- August Storck
- Arcor
- Cloetta
- Tootsie Roll
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Tony's Chocolonely
- Alter Eco
- Jelly Belly Candy Company
- SmartSweets
- Sugarfina
- Hotel Chocolat
- Katjes
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the confectionery market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by product, by channel, by ingredient claim, by price tier, by consumer age. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the confectionery market?
The global confectionery market is estimated at USD 260 bn in 2025 and USD 272 bn in 2026.
How fast will the confectionery market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 422 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 150 bn.
Which country is the largest market for confectionery?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 54.3 bn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 33.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.3% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which confectionery segment is largest?
In the by product split, Chocolate confectionery is the largest segment with 55.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading confectionery companies?
Global leaders include Mars, Mondelez International, Ferrero, Hershey Company.
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