Luxury, handmade and high quality products are attracting consumers who love luxury and high-end. Whether it's as a gift or buying for yourself, the once-popular trend of indulgence continues to evolve. The same goes for the taste, texture, packaging form and distribution channels of candy.

Industry reports say the global confectionery market will exceed $500bn (586.3bn) by 2024, while the overall size of the confectionery market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.33% between now and 2028, with high-end chocolate growing at 8.34%.

North America is a particularly controlled market for the upmarket trend, with consumers wanting different flavors and product varieties. With a growing young population, the Middle East is also seeing demand for high-end products that combine traditional confectionery with modern tastes and are showcased at candy show.

Below, we take a look at 4 key high-end trends for the confectionery industry in 2024.

I. A modern take on classic candy content

With rising cocoa prices and ingredient costs, manufacturers have had to get creative with recipes to ensure they deliver high-quality confectionery and stay relevant to a high-end audience. Cell agribusiness startup Kokomodo, for example, released its "high-value" cell-grown cocoa powder in April 2024. The new company's first product is designed to provide a steady supply of cocoa at a time when the market is experiencing uncertainty.

II.Better-for-you

Artisanal confectionery makers are also upgrading their high-end offerings by catering to the special dietary needs of consumers. The natural ingredients and low sugar in confectionery have proven popular with health-conscious and environmentally conscious consumers. For example, Kakoa designed a 24-piece line of high-end chocolate for vegan confectionery consumers, called vegan Iconic.

The addition of fiber, protein ingredients and gut health benefits is also driving the functional development of confectionery, which provides new opportunities for premium brands to elevate their products with premium ingredients and stories. For example, EatProtein developed the Chocteaser snack ball, a high-end confectionery product that is high in protein and low in sugar.

Ⅲ. Eat on occasion

During the pandemic, the approach to special occasions such as celebrations and family meals has changed, forcing brands to get creative with their confectionery offerings. The demand for imaginative and tasty sweets hasn't gone away, and the occasional sweet treat is a popular way to appeal to high-end consumers.

Ⅳ.Improve high-end packaging

When it comes to premium, high-quality handmade products, less is more. If shareable food marks the popularity of mainstream candy consumption, then for high-end food, it is single-serving packaging and small gift boxes.

With value on the agenda, consumers at candy show pay more attention to the quality of raw materials, origin and overall packaging when deciding whether to buy high-end candy. Brands are changing their content, texture, promotion and channels to appeal to premium consumers.

What attracts high-end people is not only the packaging itself, but also the way it is promoted. Limited editions that take seasonal factors into account when choosing flavors are also popular. For example, Candy cats partnered with Surreal Cereal to launch a limited edition meal to provide consumers with a new high-protein, zero-sugar, gluten-free option.

If you want to learn more about the food industry, please visit the candy show website to learn more.

Source: Food and Beverage Industry Watch (public number)

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