Top Chocolate Trends for 2023 and Beyond

Bitesize confections in milk, white, caramel, black cocoa and ruby chocolate with multi-sensorial inclusions

Top Chocolate Trends for 2023 and Beyond

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Discover the three types of indulgence that will shape the chocolate market in 2023 and download in-depth reports from regions from around the world.

Chocolate Confectionery is an important and dynamic market, expected to be worth over €107 billion / $128 billion in global retail sales by the end of 2023, with volume growth of 1.9% CAGR over the next 3 years to 2025.¹

Innovation has a key role to play in that growth projection to meet the latest needs of consumers. Depending on their mood or mindset, consumers have a specific attitude towards life which will determine the type of indulgence they choose.

While there will always be a need for Intense Indulgence chocolate experiences, we expect consumers to increasingly have a soft health approach to life, increasing the Mindful Indulgence chocolate space. Meanwhile, Healthy Indulgence is definitely a trend to watch within the confectionery segment in the years to come.

Top Chocolate Trends for 2023 and Beyond

Intense Indulgence
Mindful Indulgence
Healthy Indulgence

Download full 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 and Asia Pacific. Each report includes local customer insights, innovation highlights from the marketplace, and product solutions.

1. Intense Indulgence

Chocolate that is a real feast for the eyes and for the taste buds.

Consumers look for intense indulgence when they want to enjoy life to the fullest.

71%

of global consumers agree that when they want to celebrate, they choose something with chocolate in it²

For chocolate confectionery, this means consumers will continue to seek multi-sensoriality, exclusivity, seasonality, storytelling about origin, craftsmanship, and treats that help them celebrate.

GODIVA (China) Pralines Gift Box

Chinese new year design with tiger zodiac

HAWAIIAN HOST (USA) Flavors of Aloha

Each bar is inspired by Hawai‘i with exotic ingredients and visual texture.

NEUHAUS (Europe) Duet - Invent Your Own Praline

Select a base, a ganache and create your own pairing for a unique praline!

ARTE (Brazil) White Chocolate Plant-based Bar

Each bar is illustrated with themes about veganism, animal rights and nature.

2. Mindful Indulgence

Chocolate that is not only tasty, but also good for me and good for the planet.

Consumers want to indulge without compromising their (physical and mental) well-being, the health of others or the planet.

3 out of 4

global consumers agree that chocolate needs to be tasty, good for me and good for the planet²

There is growing demand for chocolate treats that meet these needs, including plant-based, reduced sugar, sustainably sourced and traceable ingredients.

BEAN TO BERRIES (India) Chocolate Coated Cranberries

Crafted with natural ingredients, organic unrefined sugar and no artificial flavors.

WAITROSE (UK) WholeFruit Chocolate

100% pure cacaofruit

3. Healthy Indulgence

Chocolate fortified and functional, a food for health.

Consumers looking for healthy indulgences actively and intentionally make choices that have a positive impact on their health.

65%

of global consumers would love a healthy-boosted chocolate, with macro/micronutrients for example²

This is an emerging trend for chocolate confectionery, with proven health benefits like vitamins, minerals, fibers, and flavanols being claimed on innovative new products.