Summary

Since 2020, the global confectionery market has been on an upward trend with expectations of reaching a value of $83.46 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.82% from 2024 to 2029. In Europe, a similar positive outlook is anticipated, with a forecasted expansion to $87.98 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023. Despite a notable downturn where the Italian domestic confectionery market saw a drastic reduction in production sold, both in value by 61.75% and in tons by 79.3% from 2018 to 2022, the consumption trends remain positive. In Italy, the sector experienced a 12.8% decrease in active enterprises from 2017 to 2021, with a slight 0.5% reduction in employment in the same period. Meanwhile, the distribution channel for wholesale trade in the industry shrank by 3% between 2019 and 2021, post a previous growth of 33.1% from 2017 to 2019, while retail trade saw a drop of 35.9% from 2018 to 2021 after initially expanding by 4.8%. In the Italian confectionery sector, despite the obvious setbacks, a significant rise of 20.7% in producer prices between 2013 to 2023 mirrors the climb of 13.2% in the consumer price index from 2016 to 2023. On the export front, Italy has witnessed a 30.6% increase from 2018 to 2022, outperforming import growth of 19.5% during the same period. However, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has imposed considerable stress on the market, as evidenced by a 17.6% spike in the consumer price index and a 11.7% hike in the producer price index in a span from January 2022 to October 2023..Demand for Sweets in Italy: A Local Market Analysis In Italy, the consumption of confections is a widespread habit, with 91% of Italians partaking in the consumption of candy. Interestingly, while one might assume that the primary purchasers of sweets are children, the reality differs significantly. Data show that a higher proportion of confections are bought for adults (78%) compared to children aged 6 to 13 (32%) and teenagers from 14 to 18 years old (27%). Only a small fraction (12%) of confectionery purchases are for children under the age of 6. The Italian sweet tooth translates into significant monthly household spending on items such as sugar, jams, honey, chocolate, and sweets. The budget allocated for these items has experienced an upward trajectory, with a substantial rise of about 8.5% since 2018. In 2022 alone, there was a notable increase of approximately 11.7% compared to the previous year. Consumer preferences in types of sweets show a particular inclination towards certain varieties and flavors. Mints, found in candies like Rossana, are the most popular type, representing roughly half of the Italians’ preference (49%), followed closely by soft or gummy candies (48%) and hard candies (39%). Additionally, flavors that resonate the most with the Italian palate include mint, eucalyptus, and anise, with over half (57%) favoring these tastes. Other beloved flavors include citrus (46%) and licorice (40%). The demand for confections is not uniform across the day or throughout various moments. Italians often associate consuming sweets with specific situations, such as during long journeys by plane, train, or car, which tops the list with 54% of Italians linking travel with candy consumption. Companionable leisure moments (42%) and watching movies at home in the evening (37%) are other popular instances for indulging in sweets. Regarding timing, the afternoon (39%) and the morning (30%) are the preferred times of the day to enjoy confections, with consumption patterns tending to diversify according to situational needs and time of day for more than half of Italians (54%). When examining the geographic distribution of candy consumption, the Italian market clearly shows regional differences in spending. Monthly spending is concentrated primarily in Northern Italy, with both the Northeast and Northwest having an average monthly spending of around 21 euros. The islands follow closely with an average spend of about 20 euros, with the South registering a similar average expenditure. Central.### Prominent Confectionery Giants in the Italian Sweet Treats Arena The Italian confectionery market is adorned with an array of illustrious companies that not only have their roots firmly planted in the rich soil of traditional flavors but have also burgeoned into internationally recognized brands. Let's take a stroll through the marketplace and acquaint ourselves with some of the key players who sweeten our lives with their sugary creations. **Ferrero:** Renowned the world over, Ferrero has etched an indelible mark on the confectionery landscape with its array of iconic products like Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Tic Tac. Pioneering in chocolate and hazelnut confection, Ferrero continues to inspire indulgence and sophistication in its offerings. **Sperlari:** Carrying a legacy that dates back to the 19th century, Sperlari is celebrated for its classic and timeless treats such as cotton candy and various nougat delights. Their dedication to quality and tradition render their products a staple in Italian sweet culture. **Caffarel:** Esteemed for its luxurious chocolates and as the inventor of the Gianduiotto, Caffarel is synonymous with the fine art of chocolate making. Marrying craftsmanship with flavor, Caffarel's exquisite selection adds a touch of elegance to the confectionery industry. **Perfetti Van Melle:** An international powerhouse, this company commands attention in the candy and chewing gum sector. Their brands, Mentos and Chupa Chups, hold universal appeal and demonstrate the company's edge in creating treats that resonate across the globe. **Elah-Dufour:** A formidable presence in the Italian confectionery market, Elah-Dufour offers a broad repertoire that ranges from chocolates to assorted candies. Their dedication to quality and innovation ensures a constant evolution of flavors to tantalize the modern palate. **Italgum Caramelle:** Specializing in candy production, Italgum Caramelle reflects the Italian passion for sweet perfection. They cater to every sweet tooth with their diverse collection of candies that brighten everyday moments. **Ambrosoli:** Known for their indulgent honey candies, Ambrosoli crafts flavors that encapsulate the natural goodness of ingredients like pomegranate, ginger, aloe, turmeric, and goji. Their commitment to flavor and health positions them uniquely in the confectionery niche. **Fida:** With a history intertwined with Luisa Spagnoli, the creator of Perugina, Fida stands out with
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 15/01/2024
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Summary and extracts

1 Market Overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

Sweets are mainly sugar products, mixed with flavorings and colorings. They are available on the market in various shapes and consistencies:

  • Hard candies
  • Filled candies
  • Toffee candies
  • Gummy candies
  • Antique lozenges
  • Soft and hard licorice
  • Licorice
  • Chewing gum
  • Fruit jellies

In the global context, value is expected to grow by 3.82 percent from 2024 to 2029, when it will reach $83.46 billion. On the European front, the forecast is also positive, as a CAGR of 3.1 percent is expected from 2023 to 2028, which will take the sector to reach $87.98 billion in 2028.

The Italian confectionery market has excellent growth prospects, both in terms of quantity and value. At the regional level, there is a higher value of consumption recorded in the regions of the North, followed by those of the South and, finally, those of the Center. The factor that has the greatest impact on the growth of this market is the increase in sales for family consumption (food retail), which, thanks to its strongly positive trend, counterbalances the instability recorded by sales in the impulse buying segment (bars or other types of retailers).in this regard, it is important to emphasize the growing tendency on the part of operators active in this market to carry the typical dynamics of impulse buying into the family consumption retail segment through the mechanism of displaying products in the forecourt.

Despite this, Italians do not appear to be among the largest consumers of sweets at the European level. This is due, in particular, to the greater importance that the Italian population attaches to main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) than to occasional meals based on sweets and to the greater attention to a proper and healthy diet.

1.2 The global market

The global candy market size is estimated at $**.** billion in **** and is expected to reach $**.** billion by ****, with a CAGR of *.** percent during the forecast period.

Global candy market value World, ****-****, in billions of dollars (***) Mordor Intelligence

Regarding the European market, the market is expected to be worth $**.** billion in ...

1.3 The domestic market

The domestic confectionery market experienced a significant contraction in the data on production sold in both value and tons. In the case of production sold in value, a significant decline of **.** percent was observed compared to ****. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including changes in consumer preferences, an increase ...

1.4 The foreign market

Data on confectionery exports to the foreign market show a positive trend during the period from **** to ****. During this period, exports grew significantly, registering an increase of **.* percent, far outpacing the increase in imports, which was **.* percent. In addition, the coverage ratio (***) improved significantly through ****, increasing by **.* percent. However, it is ...

1.5 Impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

The consumer price index growth of **.* points (***) indicates a significant impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the confectionery industry. This increase in consumer prices is attributed to various factors, such as the economic and political instability caused by the conflict, which has affected the supply chain and production costs. Another determinant ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Demand characteristics

In our country, * out of ** Italians(***) consume candy; the figure is evident when analyzing the value of the family's monthly expenditure item on sugar, jams, honey, chocolate and sweets, which, in addition to being very high in itself, has increased by*.*% compared to ****. In ****, spending increased by**.* percent compared to ****.

Item ...

2.2 Demand drivers

According to the data, there are moments when consuming a candy becomes more necessary and almost indispensable; the first situation that is mentioned is the moment when facing a long journey, whether by plane, train or car, **% of Italians place this situation first among the three moments most associated with candy ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

To visualize the geographic distribution of confectionery consumption, an analysis of the monthly household expenditure item on sugar, confectionery and desserts is proposed. Specifically, it can be seen that spending is concentrated in the regions of Northern Italy; in the Northeast, spending is recorded around **.**€ monthly, while in the Northwest the ...

2.4 New demand trends

In recent years, buyers of candy and sweets have been experiencing increasingly evolving tastes and preferences. Thus, the sector lends itself to constant transformation and has some interesting trends to keep an eye on. First and foremost, there is a greater focus on healthier product standards, seeking to pay increasing attention ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Market structure and dynamics

To know the dynamics that dominate this market, the number of active enterprises in recent years (***) is presented. Specifically, there is a **.* percent decrease in active enterprises from **** to ****. The lowest value was recorded in ****, where it reached *** active enterprises. From **** to **** there was again a slight decrease of *.* percent.

Enterprises ...

3.2 Value Chain

Getting to the heart of the market, it is interesting to know the evolutionary process of the product, from the supply of raw materials to the sale to the customer.

Raw materials

Raw materials are the basis of product composition:

Monosaccharides: fructose, dextrose and galactose belong to this category. These organic ...

3.3 Distribution channels

Distribution channels are crucial for the sugar, chocolate, confectionery and bakery wholesale industry. Between **** and ****, this industry experienced an exponential growth of **.* percent. However, between **** and ****, there was a slight decrease of * percent in distribution activities.

Wholesale trade of sugar, chocolate, confectionery and bakery products Italy, ****-****, in thousands (***) Istat

Confectionery ...

3.4 Main actors

4 Supply analysis

4.1 Type of Offering

The sector is highly diverse, presenting multiple possibilities in the market:

Hard candies: consist of a sugar and glucose base, which is subsequently cooked to obtain a soft, firm mixture. During the cooling phase, the substances that characterize the candy are added. Afterwards, the dough is molded, completing the cooling and ...

4.2 Prices

Over the past decade, the confectionery industry has experienced a significant increase in producer prices. The producer price index, which measures changes in the costs of goods and services within a specific industry, is a crucial indicator for understanding the economic performance of an industry. In this case, the producer price ...

4.3 The vegan candies

Most traditional candies contain ingredients of animal origin, such as gelatin, milk and honey. For this reason, those who follow a vegan diet must be careful in product selection, choosing *** percent plant-based. Animal gelatin, also known as "isinglass," is made by boiling and processing animal parts, such as skin, bone and ...

5 Regulations

5.1 Rules and regulations

In the confectionery industry, it is essential to be familiar with various rules and regulations:

EC Regulation No. ***/****: this regulation sets standards for food safety and quality, including the confectionery sector; specifically, the general principles of food legislation are dictated, creating the European Food Safety Authority. Regulation (***) No. ****/****: concerns the provision ...

6 Positioning of actors

6.1 Segmentation

  • Ferrero
  • Perfetti Van Melle
  • Elah Dufour
  • Sperlari
  • Ambrosoli
  • Fida

List of charts

  • Consumer price index in jams, marmalades and honey
  • Cocoa, chocolate, candy and confectionery producer price index

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Latest news

Ferrero, holding company of cookies and foreign companies acquired in the red: Cth closes 2023 with a loss of 364 million - 03/04/2024
  • Cth Invest, the holding company for Ferrero's foreign corporate holdings, reported a loss of nearly 364 million in 2023.
  • Fox's Burton's Company Group, acquired in 2021, posted a loss of 23.2 million.
  • Teseo Capital reported a loss of 12 million euros.
  • Since acquiring foreign companies since 2016, in total Ferrero has accumulated losses of 414 million euros.
  • The foreign acquisition started in 2015 with Thomtons resulted in expenses of €112 million.
  • Despite the losses, Ferrero International ended the year with a margin of €2.2 billion and a profit of more than €752 million.
  • The merger that led to the formation of the current Cth Invest was aimed at facilitating access to external financing and financing support, both for refinancing and new acquisitions, as reported in the merger plan between Cth Invest and Cdm International Holding.
  • The strategy of diversifying into lower margin segments than chocolate to avoid erosion of earnings from Ferrero's traditional brands led to the acquisition of Delacre, Kelsen, Fox's, and Ferrara Candy candies.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Ferrero
Perfetti Van Melle
Elah Dufour
Sperlari
Ambrosoli
Fida

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