Barry Callebaut Collects “2024 Chocolate Trends” Under Three Headings

The global retail chocolate and confectionery market is expected to be worth over $2024 billion by the end of 128. Barry Callebaut, has scrutinized this dynamic market, which is expected to grow by 2 percent in the next five years, with a comprehensive research.

The fourth Chocolate Trends Report prepared by the leading chocolate and cocoa products company sheds light on prominent trends and consumer preferences. Unlike previous years, the research, which examines three more regions locally this year, includes both global and local evaluations specific to Eastern Europe, Western Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Consumers Do Not Compromise on Experience Despite Price Increases

According to the research, consumers react to the recent price increases in chocolate products in two ways. Despite the price increase, half of consumers (54%) continue to pamper themselves by purchasing premium, high-quality chocolate rather than a casual experience. In contrast, nearly 10 in 7 consumers (66%) expect to get better value for money. This group tries to maintain the price-benefit balance through methods such as bulk purchasing and switching to retailer brands.

Intense Pleasure: Pleasure Lovers Celebrate Life with Special and Original Chocolates

Pleasure enthusiasts, who love to enjoy life to the fullest, also want to experience taste in the most intense way. According to the research conducted with approximately 12 thousand people, 4 out of 3 consumers (74%) are looking for new and exciting flavors in chocolate. Among these innovations, chocolates that cannot be found everywhere, such as seasonal varieties and limited production products, stand out. Two-thirds (65%) of consumers prefer chocolate candies with different textures, and 70% want to offer a feast to their senses with chocolates with multiple textures and tastes that appeal to both the eye, the palate and the sense of touch.

The story behind the taste is another element that pleasure lovers attach importance to. 61 percent of consumers appreciate the brand's story and see chocolates with a story of origin or production as higher quality chocolates.

Conscious Enjoyment: One Chocolate, Three Benefits

Consumers, who are becoming more conscious every day, are pursuing flavors that will be good for both themselves and the world. Globally, 4 in 3 people (75%) expect chocolate to offer a combination of three benefits. According to them, chocolate should be delicious, healthy for them and good for our planet.

In line with this trend, 77 percent of consumers want chocolate with less sugar, and 10 percent avoid sugar altogether. In line with this demand, cocoa-intensive chocolate options are increasing in the market.

Likewise, chocolates with natural and authentic ingredients and no artificial additives are also very popular. More than half of the consumers (54%) prefer pure chocolate, which does not contain E-coded ingredients and does not contain artificial sweeteners and colorants. 10 in 4 (41%) of consumers are looking for vegan or plant-based chocolate and candy options.

Consumers who are more sensitive about the environment are looking for chocolate produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. According to the 2024 research, approximately 3 out of 2 people prefer brands that care about waste reduction, recycling and sustainability in chocolate production and benefit the future of the planet. In addition, transparency and traceability are also very important to gain the trust of consumers.

Healthy Enjoyment: Supplements to Support Physical and Mental Health

Although the Healthy Enjoyment trend is still in its infancy in chocolate, consumers' demands and interest in this direction are increasing. Moreover, the expectation of healthy chocolate is no longer limited to the absence of sugar and artificial ingredients. In fact, the interest in chocolate fortified with healthy ingredients has increased by 5 percent compared to the previous period. 74 percent of consumers want snacks that are both nutritious and energizing, and 71 percent want chocolates that support their mental health.

While 10 out of 6 people find 'high protein' chocolate attractive, most health enthusiasts expect nutritious products containing ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, fibre, flavonols and omega-3.

Chocolate Preferences by Region

These general trends regarding chocolate may vary slightly regionally. For example, while 80 percent of consumers in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa want to know more about the origin and ingredients of chocolate, only 55 percent of consumers in North America are curious.

Similarly, there are regional differences in the interest in premium chocolate. While approximately 10 in 8 consumers in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa prefer premium chocolate, this rate drops to 10 in 6 in Western Europe.

Approximately 10 in 8 consumers in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe are looking for healthy chocolate, compared to 10 in 6 consumers in Western Europe and North America. The regions that want three benefits: taste, goodness and sustainability are Latin America, the Middle East and Africa and Eastern Europe.

Barry Callebaut Keeps Its Finger on the Pulse of Trends with its Innovative Products

With over 180 years of experience, Barry Callebaut renews and enriches its portfolio with options parallel to the results of this research. While it offers value-added solutions to industry professionals with its innovative products and solutions, it also works for the future of the planet by making both traceable and sustainable production with Cocoa Horizons certified cocoa raw materials. It supports its customers' sustainability journey by working with other global non-governmental organizations such as FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ.

About Barry Callebaut Group (www.barry-callebaut.com)

With annual sales of approximately CHF 2022 billion in the 23/8,5 fiscal year, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is one of the world's leading high-tech companies providing a wide range of services, from the sourcing and processing of cocoa beans to the production of the best chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and mixes. is a manufacturer of quality chocolate and cocoa products. Operating in 66 production facilities around the world, the Group employs a global workforce of over 13 thousand.

Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisan and professional chocolate users such as chocolate makers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants and catering companies. Under the umbrella of the group, there are global brands Callebaut®, Chocovic®, Van Houten®, Bensdrop®, Cacao Barry®, Carma® and decoration specialist Mona Lisa®, which meet the special needs of gourmet customers.

Barry Callebaut Group is committed to making chocolate the norm under its “Forever Chocolate” strategy to ensure the cocoa supply of the future and improve growers' livelihoods. Cocoa Horizons FoundationIt supports 's goal of creating a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.

Source: HORECA Trend and Barry Callebaut Group