Top Chocolate
Trends for 2022
and Beyond

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Consumers' attitude towards life has changed, and now chocolate makers around the world must innovate to meet evolving consumer needs in confectionery and snacking. Increased attention is being given to emotional well-being, healthier lifestyles, origin, craftsmanship and sustainability.

Chocolate represents a dynamic and innovative segment, with more than 5,000 innovations launched in retail worldwide in 2021 alone. In the Top Chocolate Trends report, with the help of fresh insights, market examples & solutions, we will explore four key trends that will help you innovate in this ever-changing chocolate category.

Read on to discover more Top Chocolate Trends 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:

FERRERO ROCHER - Range of 3 tablets: Hazelnut Dark, Hazelnut white & Original.
Ferrero Rocher tablets in three flavors: Hazelnut Dark, Hazelnut white & Original; Multiple Countries

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*
VOSGES - Self Love Collection: Peanut Butter and Caramel Marshmallow Bonbons USA
Vosges Self Love collection of Peanut Butter and Caramel Marshmallow Bonbons; USA
LOTTE - Milk, uva tea, purposely burnt butter and rum with 0.07% alcohol. Japan
Lotte Lil Fika sweets inspired by Scandinavian tea time; Japan

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*
ELSY - Healthy chocolate balls coated with 1% Without added sugar (& polyols free) milk & dark chocolate
Elsy healthy chocolate balls coated with chocolate that contains less sugar; France
RUSSELL STOVER - No Sugar Added Joy Bites with Caramel
Russell Stover no sugar added Joy bites with caramel; USA
NICHOA CHOCOLATE - 33%-34% cocoa with functional benefits like reduce anxiety, provides relaxation, eliminates fatigue, weakness and increase immunity with protein. Indonesia
Nichoa Chocolate bars with functional benefits like reducing anxiety, providing relaxation, etc; Indonesia

ATELIER de GODIVA made exclusively from “Whole Fruit Chocolate”, 100% cacao fruit that comes with unique fruity taste. Japan
Atelier de Godiva “Whole Fruit Chocolate” chocolates and drinks made with 100% cacoafruit; Japan

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*
TONY’S CHOCOLONELY - Traceable, Fairtrade, Belgian Milk Caramel Sea Salt Tony Tony’s. USA
Tony’s Chocolonely traceable, fairtrade, Belgian milk caramel ‘Tiny Tony’s’; USA
CaPao Cacaofruit Bites (Mondelez) Zesty and sweet Upcycled Cacaofruit pulp rolled with nuts, seeds, and fruits to create perfect snackable Cacaofruit Bites
CaPao Cacaofruit Bites made with upcycled cacaofruit pulp, nuts, seeds and fruits; USA

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*
MIV Chocolaterie - Dark chocolate Salami
Miv Cioccolaterie dark chocolate ‘salami’; Italy
NESTLE RALLIES - Chocolate and Nut Butter Snacking ‘Bombs’ USA
Nestle Rallies chocolate and nut butter bombs; USA

 

*Source: Barry Callebaut proprietary study, 2019

Holiland Dirty Choc Cake Balls, full of milk tea with chewy bobas; China
Holiland Dirty Choc Cake Balls, full of milk tea with chewy bobas; China

Download the Chocolate Trend Report for your Region

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

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