Europe Confectionery Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Sugar Confectionery Outpaces Chocolate Growth

In 2025, chocolate confectionery held a dominant 66.96% market share. However, sugar confectionery is projected to grow at a 5.80% CAGR through 2031, outpacing chocolate's growth. This resurgence is driven by functional gummies, portion-controlled hard candies, and nostalgic formats. Ahead of the full implementation of HFSS placement restrictions, UK sugar confectionery volumes rose 3.7% in 2025, as manufacturers pre-loaded retail pipelines with compliant gifting formats and miniature assortments, according to the UK Office for National Statistics^{[1]Source: “UK HFSS Regulations Impact Assessment,” Office for National Statistics, ons.gov.uk}. While gum has traditionally led in volume, it faces challenges in Western Europe but thrives in Central and Eastern markets with launches like Extra Mints, Orbit Drops, and Hubba Bubba Mix and Match in France, Germany, and Poland. To counter declining youth consumption in mature markets, the gum category is pivoting to sugar-free variants with xylitol and dental benefits. Meanwhile, other segments like protein bars, toffees, and nougats are adopting premiumization, with artisanal producers emphasizing natural ingredients and portion control to rival chocolate's dominance.

Chocolate's 66.96% market share reflects entrenched consumption patterns. In Germany, per-capita chocolate intake reaches 11.9 kg annually, while in France, dark chocolate consumption has risen. Seasonal variants and filled formats sustain milk and white chocolate volumes, while dark chocolate attracts health-conscious consumers with antioxidant benefits and lower sugar content. Sugar confectionery's faster growth partly reflects a correction after years of chocolate-centric innovation. Gummy brands are launching functional variants with vitamins, collagen, and fiber to appeal to wellness-focused buyers. Manufacturers that over-indexed on chocolate during the 2010s are now diversifying into sugar confectionery to hedge cocoa-price volatility and tap into faster-growing segments.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Price Category: Premium Segment Gains Share Despite Mass Dominance

In 2025, mass-price confectionery dominated with a 77.74% market share. However, the premium segment is rising, with a 6.13% CAGR through 2031, driven by consumer preferences for single-origin cocoa, artisanal craftsmanship, and transparent supply chains. Research from European Citizenship by Investment shows 59% of European consumers perceive "unique-story" chocolate as premium, while 75% link single-origin claims to sustainability. Premium brands like Lindt and Neuhaus leverage flavor innovation and culinary partnerships, justifying price points 30-50% above mass-market counterparts. Belgium's chocolate hub sustains premium positioning for brands like Godiva and Pierre Marcolini, commanding EUR 50-60 for festive ballotins. In the UK, where 59% of consumers prefer premium options, demand for ethical sourcing and clean-label ingredients is pushing mass-market players to introduce mid-tier ranges.

Mass-price confectionery thrives on impulse purchases, seasonal promotions, and private labels. In Germany, Aldi and Lidl drive mass-market volumes with own-brand chocolates priced 20-40% lower than branded options. Spain's retail expansion, with 244 new stores in early 2025, amplifies mass-price availability through discounters^{[2]Source: “Convenience Retail Expansion in Spain,” United States Department of Agriculture, usda.gov}. France's annual per-capita chocolate consumption of 12.5 kg spans both mass and premium tiers, with supermarkets stocking Lindt, Milka, and artisanal makers. Premium growth reflects margin expansion as manufacturers shift to higher-value SKUs to offset cocoa-price volatility and compliance costs. Online channels favor premium chocolates, with e-commerce sales driven by subscription boxes, limited editions, and direct-to-consumer platforms bypassing retail margin pressures.

By Ingredient: Plant-Based Formats Challenge Cocoa Derivatives

In 2025, cocoa and chocolate derivatives held 78.82% of the market share. However, plant-based ingredients are projected to grow at a strong 6.78% CAGR through 2031, driven by flexitarian diets, lactose intolerance, and sustainability concerns. Nestlé launched its rice milk-based KitKat V in 2024, while Ferrero introduced Nutella Plant-Based, made with chickpeas and rice syrup, in January 2025. Lindt entered the market with its premium oat milk bar and Oatmilk Truffles in 2024. Barry Callebaut is innovating with its M_lk Chocolate and partnerships with ChoViva, a cocoa-free alternative made from oats and sunflower seeds. Western European consumers, particularly in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, are leading adoption, with 63% seeking greater transparency in origins and ingredients.

The sugar-free and low-sugar confectionery segment is also expanding, driven by health-conscious consumers and sugar taxes. Europe’s natural sweeteners market is growing, with confectionery as a key application alongside breakfast cereals and dairy. France and Italy lead in stevia formulations and natural gum imports, supported by companies like MANE and Aromata Group. Spain’s sugar-free segment is growing, with brands like Trapa reformulating SKUs to meet health regulations and wellness trends. While cocoa derivatives dominate due to taste preferences and supply-chain infrastructure, the 6.78% CAGR for plant-based ingredients signals a shift. Manufacturers excelling in oat milk, almond paste, and cocoa-free alternatives are positioned for growth as retail distribution expands and ingredient costs decline with scale.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Distribution Channel: Online Retail Disrupts Traditional Footprints

In 2025, supermarkets and hypermarkets commanded a 42.57% share of the market. However, online retail stores are charting a different course, expanding at a robust 7.36% CAGR through 2031, outpacing all other distribution channels. This surge isn't just a remnant of the pandemic; it's a testament to evolving dynamics in last-mile logistics, the rise of subscription boxes, and direct-to-consumer approaches that sidestep traditional retail. E-commerce in Germany is outpacing its offline counterparts, compelling established players to bolster their digital frameworks. Meanwhile, Poland stands out as a prime market: a third of its online users shop from international platforms, granting niche brands a foothold beyond conventional retail confines. Across the EU-27, the B2C e-commerce landscape is flourishing, with food and beverages leading the online shopping charge. In a strategic move, Ferrero has teamed up with Deliverti to unveil a dedicated D2C online store, underscoring how global giants are adapting to retailer margin pressures by seizing full economic control.

Convenience stores play a pivotal role in impulse buying, as evidenced by Cloetta's finding that 80% of confectionery choices in Northern Europe are made at the checkout. Spain's aggressive retail strategy is evident with 244 new store openings in early 2025, closely tied to rapid-delivery app partnerships. Specialty outlets, from chocolatiers to boutique retailers, maintain a premium stance for brands like Neuhaus and Lindt, leveraging curated selections and unique in-store experiences to command higher prices. While channels like vending machines, petrol stations, and travel retail still hold a share, they grapple with challenges from digital alternatives and shifts in mobility trends post-pandemic. The key takeaway is the importance of omnichannel integration: brands that harmoniously blend online exploration with in-store experiences, click-and-collect services, and subscription offerings are poised to dominate as consumer behaviors evolve.

Geography Analysis

In 2025, the United Kingdom is projected to hold 31.43% of the market share, driven by high per-capita consumption, strong gifting traditions, and a mature retail network encompassing supermarkets, convenience stores, and specialty chocolatiers. While the UK confectionery market is growing, with chocolate accounting for a major share of the category, Q4 2024 saw a decline in consumer spending on food and beverages due to cost-of-living pressures, leading to increased downtrading and private-label penetration. The High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) regulations, which restrict promotional placement of confectionery, unexpectedly boosted gifting formats by 4% in volume terms in 2025, as manufacturers shifted their SKU mix toward premium boxed assortments exempt from these restrictions. Sugar confectionery volumes also grew ahead of the full implementation of HFSS rules, reflecting category resilience and strategic pre-loading by manufacturers. In Germany, Europe’s largest chocolate manufacturing hub, growth is driven by rising cocoa prices rather than volume expansion. With per-capita consumption at 11.9 kg annually, e-commerce channels are expanding, while discounters are capturing offline growth, highlighting a market where price and convenience increasingly outweigh brand loyalty. Leading brands include Lindt, Milka, Kinder, Haribo, and Ritter Sport, with private-label penetration intensifying through Aldi and Lidl's own-brand offerings.

Spain is the fastest-growing market, with a projected CAGR of 6.16% through 2031. This growth is supported by a 25% year-on-year increase in retail expansion, marked by 244 new store openings in the first four months of 2025^{[3]Source: “Spanish Retail Infrastructure Report,” United States Department of Agriculture, usda.gov} . Spain’s per-capita chocolate consumption of 3.1 kg annually remains below the EU average of 5 kg, indicating significant potential for volume growth as retail density improves and health-conscious consumers adopt dark chocolate and sugar-free variants. The country ranks as Europe’s seventh-largest cocoa importer and fourth-largest grinder, with domestic processing capacity supporting both export-oriented manufacturers and local brands. France, the third-largest cocoa grinder in Europe with an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes, exhibits a unique consumption profile. Dark chocolate consumption has risen, reflecting a mature palate that values complexity and cocoa intensity. With per-capita consumption at 12.5 kg annually across both mass and premium tiers, Paris stands out as a global hub for artisanal chocolatiers and patisserie traditions, sustaining demand for boxed pralines and ballotins.

Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands maintain steady growth, with Belgium’s bulk chocolate production reinforcing its role as a processing and export hub. Sweden’s market demonstrates relative inelasticity, with Cloetta reporting that pick-and-mix formats account for 30% of confectionery sales and 80% of purchase decisions occurring at the point of sale. In Poland, confectionery revenue is forecast to grow, with one in three internet users purchasing from international stores, enabling niche brands to bypass traditional retail barriers. Poland’s filled chocolate exports are on the rise, while a surge in cocoa butter imports signals expanding manufacturing capacity. The rest of Europe, including smaller markets such as Ireland, Austria, and Eastern European countries, collectively contributes a meaningful share but lacks the scale and infrastructure of Western European leaders.