Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market Size and Share

Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market Summary
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Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Asia-Pacific confectionery market size is valued at USD 44.63 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 57.58 billion by 2031, reflecting a 5.23% CAGR that underlines steady structural demand across the region . This momentum is rooted in the fusion of rising disposable income with deeply ingrained gifting traditions, shielding category volumes from broader retail slowdowns. Manufacturers preserved margins despite 2024’s record cocoa spike by substituting ingredients, accelerating portfolio premiumization, and passing partial costs through selective price-point migration. Chocolate retains primacy, yet snack bars are redefining consumption occasions as meal-replacement trends converge with fitness aspirations. Digital commerce is amplifying reach, especially where it solves cold-chain gaps, while evolving sugar-tax frameworks are nudging brands toward clean-label and sugar-reduced reformulations.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By product type, chocolate captured 48.71% of the Asia-Pacific confectionery market share in 2025 and snack bars are forecast to advance at a 6.95% CAGR through 2031.
  • By packaging type, single-serve formats led with 62.10% share in 2025, whereas multipacks register the fastest 7.09% CAGR through 2031.
  • By price tier, mass offerings accounted for 57.56% of value in 2025, but premium lines are expanding at a 7.89% CAGR, through 2031.
  • By distribution channel, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets held 32.38% of sales in 2025, yet online retail is pacing ahead with an 8.45% CAGR through 2031.
  • By geography, China dominated with a 29.05% revenue contribution in 2025, while India is poised for the quickest 7.14% CAGR through 2031.

Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Snack Bars Disrupt Traditional Hierarchies

Chocolate is projected to hold a 48.71% market share in 2025, underscoring its established role as the core category. However, snack bars, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.95% through 2031, indicate a shift toward functional nutrition that extends beyond traditional confectionery boundaries. Within the chocolate segment, dark chocolate is gaining market share, driven by its perceived health benefits, such as flavonoid content and reduced sugar levels. Premium dark chocolate variants are expected to grow by 9% year-on-year in Japan and Australia in 2025.

While milk and white chocolate continue to drive volume, particularly in gifting formats, they face challenges from sugar-reduction regulations, which disproportionately impact higher-sugar products. Sugar confectionery, which includes hard candies, lollipops, mints, pastilles, gummies, jellies, toffees, and nougats, caters to price-sensitive consumers and impulse purchases. Among these, gummies and jellies are experiencing the strongest growth, driven by innovations in texture and the addition of functional ingredients like vitamins. The gum segment is diverging: bubble gum is declining as younger consumers move away from the format, while sugar-free chewing gum is maintaining its market share in mature markets such as South Korea and Japan, where its oral-care benefits remain relevant.

Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market: Market Share by Product Type
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By Packaging Type: Multipacks Gain as E-Commerce Scales

Single-serve formats accounted for 62.10% of packaging sales in 2025, reflecting their strong presence in impulse-driven channels such as convenience stores, vending machines, and checkout counters. These formats are favored for their portion control and price-point accessibility, which drive consumer conversions. However, multipacks are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.09% through 2031, supported by e-commerce platforms that encourage bulk purchasing through subscription discounts and free-shipping incentives. In India, quick-commerce platforms that deliver groceries within 10 to 15 minutes are increasing multipack adoption in urban areas, where consumers prioritize convenience and reduced shopping frequency over unit economics. In Japan, the aging population is boosting demand for multipacks, as elderly consumers prefer fewer shopping trips. Additionally, family-size formats remain popular in rural areas, where multi-generational households are more common.

Innovation in single-serve packaging is increasingly focused on sustainability, with brands testing compostable wrappers and refillable dispensers to address concerns about plastic waste. Meanwhile, multipacks are incorporating features such as resealable closures and portion-control options to enhance convenience while maintaining their cost-per-unit advantage, which appeals to value-conscious households. The evolution of packaging segmentation highlights a broader dynamic between on-the-go convenience and economic efficiency. While digital commerce is shifting consumer preferences toward bulk formats, physical retail continues to sustain the dominance of single-serve packaging.

By Price Tier: Premium Segment Outpaces Mass Despite Smaller Base

Mass-market products accounted for 57.56% of the value share in 2025. Premium confectionery is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.89% through 2031, driven by affluent consumers in Singapore, Japan, and urban China who value artisanal provenance, single-origin cocoa, and limited-edition collaborations with celebrity chefs. Singapore's premium segment benefits from its position as a regional gifting hub, where corporate buyers procure high-end assortments for client entertainment and employee recognition programs. Mass-market brands are maintaining their share by introducing mid-tier variants that feature premium elements, such as darker cocoa content or exotic flavors, while avoiding luxury price points.

The growth of the premium segment is limited by affordability constraints in emerging markets, where monthly per-capita confectionery spending ranges from USD 2 to USD 4, restricting consumption to urban elites and special occasions. However, rising incomes and premiumization trends in China and India are expected to narrow the gap between mass-market and premium segments by 2031, as middle-class expansion increases the potential customer base for affordable luxury offerings.

Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market: Market Share by Price Tier
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By Distribution Channel: Online Retail Disrupts Traditional Hierarchies

Supermarkets and hypermarkets accounted for 32.38% of the distribution share in 2025, benefiting from their ability to provide wide assortments, promotional pricing, and the convenience of one-stop shopping, which appeals to family-oriented consumers. However, online retail is experiencing rapid growth, with a CAGR of 8.45% projected through 2031, marking it as the fastest-growing channel. This growth is driven by digital platforms addressing last-mile cold-chain challenges and offering personalized recommendations that increase basket sizes. In Southeast Asia, social commerce is emerging as a distinct channel, with brands utilizing platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to enable peer-to-peer sales and influencer-driven product discovery, particularly for premium and artisanal goods.

Convenience stores remain essential in markets like Japan and South Korea, where their high density, approximately one store per 2,000 residents in urban areas, and 24-hour operations make them the preferred channel for impulse purchases and immediate consumption. Specialty stores, such as chocolate boutiques and confectionery chains, are expanding in affluent markets, offering curated product assortments and experiential retail experiences that justify premium pricing. The fragmented distribution landscape presents opportunities for omnichannel strategies that integrate physical and digital touchpoints. These strategies enable brands to engage consumers across various purchase occasions while optimizing inventory allocation based on real-time demand insights.

Geography Analysis

China is projected to hold a 29.05% revenue share in 2025, establishing itself as the central market in the region. However, its growth rate is slowing compared to historical trends. Confectionery consumption per capita in coastal provinces is stabilizing as increasing health awareness curbs indulgence, and regulatory measures targeting sugar content become stricter. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, is experiencing faster growth compared to mature markets. However, the region faces challenges such as fragmented cold-chain infrastructure and evolving regulatory environments.

India is expected to grow at a 7.14% CAGR through 2031, marking the fastest growth rate in the region. This expansion is driven by demographic advantages, the growth of organized retail, and rising incomes, which are bringing millions into the consuming class each year. With a median age of 28 years, India benefits from a younger population that demonstrates higher trial rates and greater acceptance of Western confectionery formats, such as chocolate bars and gummies. The FSSAI's front-of-pack labeling mandate, set to take effect in 2024, is encouraging brands to reduce sugar content and adopt clean-label reformulations to avoid red warnings that could deter health-conscious consumers.

Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are mature markets with high per-capita consumption, but volume growth is limited due to aging populations and saturated distribution networks. In Australia, organic and clean-label segments are expanding, with certified-organic confectionery sales projected to grow by 12% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting increasing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability. These trends highlight the growing importance of health-conscious and sustainable product offerings in mature markets.

Competitive Landscape

The Asia-Pacific confectionery market demonstrates moderate concentration, characterized by a duopoly of multinational corporations dominating the chocolate and gum segments, alongside a fragmented array of regional specialists focusing on sugar confectionery and local flavor variations. Companies such as Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé, and Ferrero hold a substantial share of the regional chocolate market, leveraging extensive global supply chains, long-established brand equity, and strong distribution networks to secure prominent shelf space in modern retail outlets.

Strategic approaches in the market emphasize portfolio diversification, with leading players acquiring or introducing products in faster-growing categories such as snack bars and functional confectionery to counterbalance the stagnation in traditional segments. Health-focused reformulation is widespread, driven by regulatory requirements and evolving consumer preferences. Brands are increasingly replacing sugar with alternatives like stevia, fortifying products with vitamins, and promoting clean-label attributes in their marketing efforts.

Growth opportunities in the market are concentrated in three key areas: functional confectionery offering measurable health benefits beyond basic nutrition, regional flavor innovations that draw from local culinary traditions, and direct-to-consumer models that reduce distributor margins while enabling personalized subscription services. Additionally, technology adoption is advancing rapidly, with companies utilizing AI-driven demand forecasting to optimize inventory, augmented-reality packaging to enhance consumer engagement, and blockchain technology to verify ethical sourcing practices.

Asia-Pacific Confectionery Industry Leaders

  1. Ferrero International SA

  2. Mars Incorporated

  3. Mondelēz International Inc.

  4. Nestlé SA

  5. The Hershey Company

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments

  • September 2025: Cadbury Dairy Milk has launched a new product, Milkinis, in India. This chocolate bar features a smooth milk crème-filled center encased in the brand's classic chocolate. The product is designed to cater to evolving consumer snacking habits and on-the-go indulgence. Milkinis is available in two pack sizes, catering to both individual consumption and sharing occasions. The launch is supported by a comprehensive 360-degree marketing campaign, including television, digital media, influencer collaborations, and social storytelling.
  • September 2025: Läderach has opened its first chocolateries in Japan, marking the Swiss premium chocolate brand's entry into the Japanese market. The new stores, located in Tokyo and Yokohama, offer handcrafted chocolate creations such as truffles, pralines, and signature bars. This expansion blends Swiss chocolate craftsmanship with Japan's appreciation for quality and presentation. The launch aligns with the company’s global growth strategy, leveraging Japan’s sophisticated confectionery market to strengthen its presence in Asia-Pacific.
  • August 2024: Pakka Limited and Brawny Bear have launched India’s first energy bars in fully compostable flexible packaging. These bars combine functional nutrition with sustainable packaging solutions, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. The initiative aims to reduce plastic waste while providing convenient, on-the-go energy from wholesome ingredients.
  • April 2024: Mondelez’s The Natural Confectionery Co. has introduced a new range of products with 50% less sugar. This initiative addresses the growing consumer demand for healthier treats without compromising on taste. The reformulated sweets utilize natural sweeteners and ingredient optimization to reduce sugar content while maintaining flavor and texture. This launch aligns with health and wellness trends and reflects the brand’s commitment to offering healthier confectionery options for sugar-conscious consumers.

Table of Contents for Asia-Pacific Confectionery Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Strong cultural integration of confectionery in gifting and festivities
    • 4.2.2 Growing preference for clean-label and natural ingredients
    • 4.2.3 Expansion of sugar-reduced and functional confectionery
    • 4.2.4 Rise of snack bars as convenient, protein-enriched alternatives to traditional sweets
    • 4.2.5 Premiumisation demand for innovative flavours and formats
    • 4.2.6 Ethical sourcing of ingredients, eco-friendly packaging
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Rising health concerns and sugar-tax regulations
    • 4.3.2 Fragmented cold-chain limiting premium chocolate distribution
    • 4.3.3 Volatility in cocoa and sugar prices
    • 4.3.4 Artisanal premium pricing alienating mass-market consumers
  • 4.4 Supply Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory and Technological Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECATS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 By Product Type
    • 5.1.1 Chocolate
    • 5.1.1.1 Dark Chocolate
    • 5.1.1.2 Milk and White Chocolate
    • 5.1.2 Sugar Confectionery
    • 5.1.2.1 Hard Candy/Hard-boiled Sweets
    • 5.1.2.2 Lollipops
    • 5.1.2.3 Mints
    • 5.1.2.4 Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
    • 5.1.2.5 Toffees and Nougats
    • 5.1.2.6 Others
    • 5.1.3 Gum
    • 5.1.3.1 Bubble Gum
    • 5.1.3.2 Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.3.2.1 Sugar Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.3.2.2 Sugar-free Chewing Gum
    • 5.1.4 Snack Bar
    • 5.1.4.1 Cereal Bar
    • 5.1.4.2 Energy Bar
    • 5.1.4.3 Fruit & Nut Bar
    • 5.1.4.4 Protein Bar
  • 5.2 Packaging type
    • 5.2.1 Single-serve
    • 5.2.2 Multipacks Source
  • 5.3 Price Tier
    • 5.3.1 Mass
    • 5.3.2 Premium
  • 5.4 Distribution Channel
    • 5.4.1 Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
    • 5.4.2 Convenience Stores
    • 5.4.3 Online Retail
    • 5.4.4 Specialty Stores
    • 5.4.5 Others
  • 5.5 Geography
    • 5.5.1 China
    • 5.5.2 Japan
    • 5.5.3 India
    • 5.5.4 Thailand
    • 5.5.5 Singapore
    • 5.5.6 Indonesia
    • 5.5.7 South Korea
    • 5.5.8 Australia
    • 5.5.9 New Zealand
    • 5.5.10 Rest of Asia-Pacific

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Ranking Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles {(includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)}
    • 6.4.1 Mars, Incorporated
    • 6.4.2 Mondelez International, Inc.
    • 6.4.3 Nestlé S.A.
    • 6.4.4 Ferrero International S.A.
    • 6.4.5 The Hershey Company
    • 6.4.6 LOTTE Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.7 Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.8 Perfetti Van Melle Group
    • 6.4.9 Orion Corporation
    • 6.4.10 Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.11 Barry Callebaut AG
    • 6.4.12 Lindt & Sprüngli AG
    • 6.4.13 Haribo GmbH & Co. KG
    • 6.4.14 Morinaga & Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.15 Pladis (Yildiz Holding)
    • 6.4.16 Delfi Limited
    • 6.4.17 Guan Sheng Yuan Co., Ltd.
    • 6.4.18 ITC Limited (Foods Division)
    • 6.4.19 Godiva Chocolatier
    • 6.4.20 ROYCE' Confect Co., Ltd.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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Asia-Pacific Confectionery Market Report Scope

Chocolate, Gums, Snack Bar, Sugar Confectionery are covered as segments by Confections. Convenience Store, Online Retail Store, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea are covered as segments by Country.
By Product Type
Chocolate Dark Chocolate
Milk and White Chocolate
Sugar Confectionery Hard Candy/Hard-boiled Sweets
Lollipops
Mints
Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
Toffees and Nougats
Others
Gum Bubble Gum
Chewing Gum Sugar Chewing Gum
Sugar-free Chewing Gum
Snack Bar Cereal Bar
Energy Bar
Fruit & Nut Bar
Protein Bar
Packaging type
Single-serve
Multipacks Source
Price Tier
Mass
Premium
Distribution Channel
Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
Convenience Stores
Online Retail
Specialty Stores
Others
Geography
China
Japan
India
Thailand
Singapore
Indonesia
South Korea
Australia
New Zealand
Rest of Asia-Pacific
By Product Type Chocolate Dark Chocolate
Milk and White Chocolate
Sugar Confectionery Hard Candy/Hard-boiled Sweets
Lollipops
Mints
Pastilles, Gummies, and Jellies
Toffees and Nougats
Others
Gum Bubble Gum
Chewing Gum Sugar Chewing Gum
Sugar-free Chewing Gum
Snack Bar Cereal Bar
Energy Bar
Fruit & Nut Bar
Protein Bar
Packaging type Single-serve
Multipacks Source
Price Tier Mass
Premium
Distribution Channel Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
Convenience Stores
Online Retail
Specialty Stores
Others
Geography China
Japan
India
Thailand
Singapore
Indonesia
South Korea
Australia
New Zealand
Rest of Asia-Pacific
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Market Definition

  • Milk and White Chocolate - Milk chocolates is a solid chocolate made with milk (in the form of either milk powder, liquid milk, or condensed milk) and cocoa solids. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter and milk and contains no cocoa solids whatsoever. The scope includes regular chocolates, low-sugar, and sugar-free variants
  • Toffees & Nougats - Toffees include hard, chewy, and small or one-bite candies marketed with labels as toffee or toffee-like confectionery. Nougat is a chewy confection with almond, sugar, and egg white as a basic ingredient; and it originated in Europe and Middle East countries.
  • Cereals Bars - A snack composed of breakfast cereal that has been compressed into a bar shape and is held together with a form of edible adhesive. The scope includes snack bars made with cereals such as rice, oats, corn, etc. mixed with a binding syrup. These also include products labeled as cereal bars, cereal treat bars, or grain bars.
  • Chewing Gum - This is a preparation for chewing, usually made of flavored and sweetened chicle or such substitutes as polyvinyl acetate. The types of chewing gums included in the scope are sugar-chewing gums and sugar-free chewing gums
Keyword Definition
Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate is a form of chocolate containing cocoa solids and cocoa butter without the milk.
White Chocolate White chocolate is the type of chocolate containing the highest percentage of milk solids, typically around or over 30 percent.
Milk Chocolate Milk chocolate is made from dark chocolate that has a low cocoa solid content and higher sugar content, plus a milk product.
Hard Candy A candy made of sugar and corn syrup boiled without crystallizing.
Toffees A hard, chewy, often brown sweet that is made from sugar boiled with butter.
Nougats A chewy or brittle candy containing almonds or other nuts and sometimes fruit.
Cereal bar A cereal bar is a bar-shaped food product, made by pressing cereals and usually dried fruit or berries, which are in most cases held together by glucose syrup.
Protein bar Protein bars are nutrition bars that contain a high proportion of protein to carbohydrates/fats.
Fruit & Nut bar These are often based on dates with other dried fruit and nut additions and, in some cases, flavorings.
NCA The National Confectioners Association is an American trade organization that promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these treats.
CGMP Current good manufacturing practices are those conforming to the guidelines recommended by relevant agencies.
Unstandardized foods Unstandardized foods are those that do not have a standard of identity or that deviate from a prescribed standard in any manner.
GI The glycemic index (GI) is a way of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels over a period of time
Skimmed milk powder Skimmed milk powder is obtained by removing water from pasteurized skim milk by spray-drying.
Flavanols Flavanols are a group of compounds found in cocoa, tea, apples, and many other plant-based foods and beverages.
WPC Whey protein concentrate- the substance obtained by the removal of sufficient nonprotein constituents from pasteurized whey so that the finished dry product contains greater than 25% protein.
LDL Low density Lipoprotein- the bad cholesterol
HDL High density Lipoprotein- the good cholesterol
BHT butylated Hydroxytoluene is a lab-made chemical that is added to foods as a preservative.
Carrageenan Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks.
Free form Not containing certain ingredients, such as gluten, dairy, or sugar.
Cocoa butter It is a fatty substance obtained from cocoa beans, used in the manufacture of confectionery.
Pastellies A type of of Brazilian candy made from sugar, eggs, and milk.
Draggees Small, round candies that are coated with a hard sugar shell
CHOPRABISCO Royal Belgian Association of the chocolate, pralines, biscuit, and confectionery industry- A trade association that represents the Belgian chocolate industry.
European Directive 2000/13 A European Union directive that regulates the labeling of food products
Kakao-Verordnung The German chocolate ordinance, a set of regulations that define what can be labeled as "chocolate" in Germany.
FASFC Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain
Pectin A natural substance that is derived from fruits and vegetables. It is used in confectionery to create a gel-like texture.
Invert sugars A type of sugar that is made up of glucose and fructose.
Emulsifier A substance that helps to mix to liquids that does not mix together.
Anthocyanins A type of flavonoid that is responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of confectionery.
Functional Foods Foods that have been modified to provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Kosher certificate This certification verifies that the ingredients, production process including all machinery, and/or food-service process complies with the standards of Jewish dietary law
Chicory root extract A natural extract from the chicory root that is a good source of fiber, calcium, phosphorous, and folate
RDD Recommended daily dose
Gummies A chewy gelatin-based candy that is often flavored with fruit.
Nutraceuticals Food or dietary supplements that are claimed to have health benefits.
Energy bars Snack bars that are high in carbohydrates and calories are designed to provide energy on the go.
BFSO Belgian Food Safety Organization for the food chain.
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
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