Top Chocolate
Trends for 2021
and Beyond

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The world changed in 2020, and now chocolate makers around the world must innovate to meet accelerating consumer needs in confectionery and snacking. These include increased attention to emotional well-being, healthier lifestyles, provenance, craftsmanship, sustainability, and the explosion of at-home occasions.

According to Euromonitor, Chocolate Confectionery was worth over $100 billion in retail sales globally in 2020 and continues to grow. Over the next 5 years, the global market is forecast to grow sales on average 4.4% each year. Western Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific are the top 3 regions and account for over 70% of sales worldwide.

Barry Callebaut has identified the top trends in chocolate for 2021 and beyond, by tapping into its global network of chefs, chocolate & confectionery experts, proprietary research and the very latest in consumer insights.

Read on to discover more, or download the in-depth report for your region.

Top Trends to Watch in Chocolate

  1. Indulgent Moments

  2. Good For Me

  3. Chocolates I Trust

  4. Taking New Forms

 

Download the Full Report for Your Region:

Delicata by Albert Heijn (Netherlands) Discover Happiness Pralines
Delicata by Albert Heijn (Netherlands) Discover Happiness Pralines

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.

  • 55% of Global consumers agree that chocolates with multiple flavors and textures are more premium*
Target (US) Hot Chocolate Bombs
Target (US) Hot Chocolate Bombs
Cadbury Dairy Milk (Malaysia) Durian Flavoured
Cadbury Dairy Milk (Malaysia) Durian Flavoured

2. Good For Me

We still want our chocolate confections & 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 specialized needs, or seek extra goodness infused in their chocolate. We expect this need for “better-for-me” alternatives to accelerate, as health & wellbeing has become a top priority.

  • 83% of Global consumers agree that chocolate needs to be tasty and good for me*
Quest (US) protein fueled peanut butter cups
Quest (US) protein fueled peanut butter cups
Galaxy (UK) chocolate bars are vegan
Galaxy (UK) chocolate bars are vegan
GABA (Japan) include a chemical that works as a sleep aid
GABA (Japan) include a chemical that works as a sleep aid

Le chocolat des français (France) Made in France & Organic chocolates
Le chocolat des français (France) Made in France & Organic chocolates

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 favorite treat without harming the planet & its people. They also value provenance and craftsmanship of chocolate, because it communicates quality they can trust.

  • 67% of Global consumers want to know more about where their chocolate comes from and what is in it*
POD (Indonesia) creates chocolate from local sustainable ingredients
POD (Indonesia) creates chocolate from local sustainable ingredients
Impact Snacks (US) have created 100% plant-based superfoods bars which enable consumers to track their carbon impact
Impact Snacks (US) have created 100% plant-based superfoods bars which enable consumers to track their carbon impact

4. Taking New Forms

The shift to at home occasions is reshaping and accelerating change in consumer behaviour. Chocolate remains a top flavor 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.

  • 75% of Global consumers want to try new and exciting chocolate experiences*
Mint Chocolate Black Jazz ( Taiwan). Reminiscent of charcoal and mint toothpaste, this jazzy chocolate cake has layers of mint mousse that creates a refreshing and cooling sensation
Mint Chocolate Black Jazz ( Taiwan). Reminiscent of charcoal and mint toothpaste, this jazzy chocolate cake has layers of mint mousse that creates a refreshing and cooling sensation
Small Batch Organics (US) chocolate granola bark
Small Batch Organics (US) chocolate granola bark

 

*Source: Barry Callebaut proprietary study, 2019

Hands Off My Chocolate (Netherlands) Hazelnut fortune cookie tablet
Hands Off My Chocolate (Netherlands) Hazelnut fortune cookie tablet

Download the Chocolate Trend Report for your Region

Discover more about how these trends are developing in the top chocolate confectionery regions in the world with our bespoke reports from Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Each report includes local consumer insights, innovation highlights from the marketplace, and product solutions.

 

 

Download North America Report →

Download Europe Report →

Download APAC Report →

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