The chocolate and chocolate factory market - Italy (2025)

1.2 Global market

The global chocolate market, valued at $***.** billion in ****, is expected to grow to $***.** billion by ****, an increase of **.* percent. This increase is driven by growing demand for organic, vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free chocolate, in line with increased awareness about the negative impacts of synthetic products on health and the environment. Sales also experience seasonal fluctuations, with peaks during holidays such as Easter and Christmas, driven by companies' strategies of offering diverse assortments for these occasions.

Global market value World, ****-****, in US$ billion GrandViewResearch

Côte d'Ivoire dominates global cocoa production, contributing **.* percent of the global total with *,***.* million tons in ****, followed by Ghana and Indonesia with shares of **.* percent and **.* percent, respectively. The significant concentration in West Africa reflects the importance of this region to the global chocolate market.

World cocoa producers World, ****, in % VisualCapitalist

Looking at the data in absolute values, these range from *.** million tons in Côte d'Ivoire to **.* thousand tons in Colombia.

World cocoa producers World, ****, in millions of tons VisualCapitalist

1.3 European market

The size of the chocolate market in Europe is estimated at US$**.** billion in **** and is expected to reach US$**.** billion by ****, with a compound annual growth rate (***).

European Chocolate Market Value Europe, ****-****, in € billion CBI

Germany was the leading chocolate exporter in Europe with ***.* tons. It was followed by Belgium with ***.* tons, while the Netherlands exported ***.* tons. Poland and Italy exported ***.* and ***.* tons, respectively, with France standing at ***.* tons. Switzerland, with ***.* tons, closes the ranking. Major chocolate exporters Europe, ****, in tons UNComtrade

Germany is also the largest importer of chocolate in Europe with ***.* tons. France follows closely with ***.* tons, while the Netherlands imported ***.* tons. Poland and Belgium imported ***.* and ***.* tons, respectively. Spain recorded ***.* tons of imports, while Italy imported ***.* tons. Major importers of chocolate Europe, ****, in tons UNComtrade

1.4 Italian market

The turnover of cocoa, chocolate, candy, and confectionery companies grew ** percent between **** and ****, from *.** billion to an estimated *.** billion. After a steady increase through ****, there was a decline in ****, followed by a significant recovery from **** onward. The acceleration in recent years indicates strong demand and possible effects of rising commodity prices. The **** and **** values were estimated using the relevant Istat index on industrial turnover.[***]

Turnover of companies producing cocoa, chocolate, candy and confectionery [***] Italy, ****-****, in billion € Istat, RegistroAziende

The value production sold of products containing chocolate in Italy decreased by **.* percent between **** and ****, from €*.** billion to €*.** billion. Since **** there has been a steady recovery, reaching *.** billion in ****, an increase of **.* percent over **** and exceeding initial levels.

Production in value sold per product containing chocolate Italy, ****-****, in billion € Istat

The categories identified by istat for the various chocolate products are as follows: [***] Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa presented in blocks or bars weighing more than * kg in a liquid or paste-like state or in powder, granules, or similar forms, in containers or immediate packaging of a content exceeding * kg, containing **% or more cocoa butter by weight [***] Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa presented in blocks, bars or ...

1.5 Imports and exports

Italian imports of chocolate and other foods containing cocoa increased from €*.*** billion in **** to €*.*** billion in ****, registering an overall growth of ** percent. Exports over the same period grew from *.** billion euros to *.** billion euros, marking an increase of **.* percent. The coverage rate, which represents the ratio of exports to imports, showed a slight change. In ****, the rate was *.**, indicating that exports were more than three times higher than imports. This ratio has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase to *.** in ****, followed by a decrease to *.** in ****.

Imports, Exports and Coverage Rate for Chocolate and Other Foods Containing Cocoa Italy, ****-****, in billion € UNComtrade

In ****, Germany was the main country of origin for chocolate imports to Italy, accounting for **.** percent of the total, or €***.* ML. This was followed by France with **.** percent (***) came from other countries. Main countries of origin of chocolate imports Italy, ****, in % UNComtrade

France was the main export country for Italian chocolate, accounting for **.**% of the total, or €***,***,***.**. It was followed by Germany with *.**% (***), respectively. Other countries accounted for **.**% of exports, with a total value of €*.** billion. Main countries of chocolate exports Italy, ****, in % UNComtrade

1.6 Inflation suffered by the sector

Inflation has been influenced by several factors, one of the main reasons for the increase in raw material costs, cocoa, sugar, milk and other essential components for chocolate production have seen an increase in prices. In addition, high energy costs have played a crucial role. Industrial chocolate production is highly dependent on energy, and rising electricity and natural gas prices have inevitably increased production costs. The COVID-** pandemic and the war in Ukraine further complicated the situation, causing disruptions in the global supply chain. These events caused delays and additional costs for transportation and logistics, contributing to the overall price increase. Rising labor costs have also had a significant impact. Wage pressures due to general inflation and a shortage of skilled labor drove up production costs.

Industry producer price index - monthly data - base ****=*** of cocoa, chocolate, candy and confectionery production [***] Italy, ****-****, index Istat

Between November **** and November ****, the industry producer price index for cocoa, chocolate, candies and confectionery in Italy increased by *.* percent, from ***.* to ***.*. During ****, the index showed moderate fluctuations, with a low of ***.* in January and a significant rise from October, culminating in the November peak, which is an Istat estimate.

2.1 Overview of demand

Spending on chocolate and cocoa products showed a seesaw trend between **** and ****, with an overall growth of **.* percent, rising from *.** euros to *.** euros. After a slight decline in **** and ****, spending picked up again from ****, peaking in **** at *.** euros, before a slight decline in the **** estimate. The trend suggests an increase in prices rather than an increase in volumes purchased.

Item of expenditure (***) by chocolate Italy, ****-****, in EU€ Istat

In detailing chocolate production in ****, the best-selling products were bars, blocks and sticks with ***,*** tons, followed by blocks and bars weighing more than * kg with ***,*** tons. Filled chocolate reached ***,*** tons, while the other categories show significantly lower volumes. Thus, production is concentrated on traditional formats and for direct sale, while specialties, such as alcohol-filled chocolates or white chocolate, account for marginal shares of the market.

Main productions sold in quantity of chocolate Italy, ****, in thousands of tons Istat [***] Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa presented in blocks, bars or sticks, filled [***] Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa presented in blocks or bars weighing more than * kg in liquid or paste form or in powder, granules or similar forms, in containers or immediate packaging of a content exceeding * kg, containing **% or ...

2.2 Distribution of demand

In ****, Lombardy leads the consumption of sweets at least a few times a week with *.** million, followed by Lazio (***).

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Among children aged *-* years, the number of consumers is *** thousand, representing **.*% of that age group. This percentage increases slightly among *-** year olds, reaching **.*%, the highest value among all age groups. As age increases, the percentage of people who consume sweets regularly tends to decrease. Adolescents aged **-** have a percentage of **.* percent, falling further to **.* percent among **-** year olds and **.* percent among **-** year olds. Among adults, the percentage continues to decline: **.* percent for **-** year olds, **.* percent for **-** year olds, and **.* percent for **-** year olds.The consumption of sweets becomes even less frequent among older people. Only **.* percent of people aged **-**, **.* percent aged **-**, and **.* percent aged **-** consume sweets at least a few times a week. Finally, among those over **, this percentage drops to **.*%, the lowest value among all age groups. The overall trend shows a decrease in regular sweets consumption with increasing age, with an overall decrease of **.** percent from the *-* years old group to the ** years and older group.

People aged * years and older by sweet consumption at least a ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

Average monthly household spending on chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa-based food products shows a clear geographic differentiation in Italy in ****, with the highest values concentrated in northern regions, where peaks of *.* euros are reached, while southern regions have the lowest values, at around *.** euros

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2.4 Trends in chocolate demand

Online searches for chocolate in Italy in **** show a clear seasonality. The lowest values are recorded in summer, with a low of ** in July, while a gradual increase is observed starting in September, reaching a peak of ** in December. This trend reflects the higher demand for chocolate in the colder months and during the holiday season, compared with reduced interest during the summer months.

The numbers represent search interest relative to the highest point on the graph in relation to the region and period indicated. A value of *** indicates the highest frequency of search for the term; ** indicates half as many searches. A score of *, on the other hand, indicates that not enough data were found for the term.

Trend of chocolate searches Italy, ****-****, index Google Trends, Businesscoot elaboration

Basilicata records the highest level of interest with an index of ***, followed by Puglia (***) show significant values, while Lombardy stands at **. These data suggest regional variations in interest in chocolate, with a stronger trend in southern Italy.

2.5 New trends in demand

In the chocolate market of ****, new trends are emerging that reflect changing consumer preferences and a growing focus on sustainability, health, and innovation.

Here are the main examples:

Lindt Excellence: Dark chocolate with high cocoa content (***) offering intense flavor and smooth texture, designed for dark chocolate lovers. Green & Black's Organic: Organic chocolate with traceable and sustainable ingredients. The dark and milk chocolate bars are Fair Trade certified and use only organic ingredients. Ovomaltine Crunchy Cream: A spread with less sugar than other brands, which still offers a tasty chocolate experience with crunchy chunks of malt. Hu Kitchen: Chocolate without refined sugars, dairy, soy or emulsifiers. Uses ingredients such as almonds, hazelnuts and organic cocoa to create a healthy chocolate. Alter Eco DarkChocolate Quinoa Crunch: Dark chocolate bars with crunchy quinoa, offering a source of protein and fiber, making the chocolate not only delicious but also nutritious. Tony's Chocolonely: A chocolate brand committed to fighting slavery and exploitation on cocoa plantations. Each chocolate bar is made with traceable and sustainably sourced cocoa. Divine Chocolate: A chocolate company owned by cocoa farmers. All products are Fair Trade and the company provides clear details on where the cocoa used comes from. Moo Free: Dairy-free ...

3.1 Market structure and dynamics

The number of enterprises active in cocoa and chocolate production in Italy decreased from *** in **** to *** in ****. This represents an overall decrease of *.* percent over the period. After a significant decline between **** and ****, the number of firms remained relatively stable with slight fluctuations in subsequent years, showing a slight recovery in **** followed by a new decline in **** and modest growth in ****.

Number of firms active in cocoa and chocolate production [***] Italy, ****-****, in number Istat

The distribution of legal forms shows a predominance of limited liability companies, accounting for **.** percent of the total. Sole proprietors, freelancers, and the self-employed make up **.** percent, while general partnerships and limited partnerships account for **.** percent and *.** percent, respectively. Joint stock companies, including limited partnerships, make up *.** percent. Social cooperatives and other forms of enterprises account for only a small part of the total, accounting for *.**%, *.**% and *.**% respectively. Legal form of enterprises active in the production of cocoa, chocolate, candies and sugared almonds Italy, ****, in % Istat

In ****, there were **,*** employees, a figure that remained almost unchanged in **** with **,***. However, in ****, there was a decline to **,*** employees, followed by a recovery in **** with **,***. In ****, the number increased significantly to **,***, marking a growth of *.* percent compared to ****. Following ...

3.2 Value Chain

*. Harvesting

This is the initial stage when cocoa pods are harvested from cocoa trees. The pods are carefully cut to avoid damaging the tree.

*. Fermentation

After harvesting, the cocoa beans are extracted from the pods and placed in shallow containers covered with banana leaves to ferment. This process takes several days and is crucial for developing the flavor of the seeds.

*. Toasting

The fermented seeds are then roasted at high temperatures. Toasting improves the flavor and color of the seeds. The duration and temperature of roasting can vary depending on the desired flavor profile.

*. Transport

After roasting, the seeds are transported to the production facilities. This stage involves logistics and distribution management to ensure that the seeds reach the production sites in good condition.

*. Tinning

At this stage, the chocolate mixture is continuously stirred and aerated to refine texture and flavor. This process can take from several hours to days, depending on the desired smoothness and flavor.

*. Tempering

Tempering involves carefully cooling the chocolate to ensure that it solidifies with a stable texture. This process gives the chocolate a glossy finish and smooth texture, preventing it from becoming brittle or developing a whitish patina (***).

*. Molding

Tempered ...

3.3 Main wholesalers

The following are the main wholesalers dealing especially with the confectionery and pastry industry:

Tessieri Srl: Casa Tessieri, founded over fifty years ago, is an Italian company specializing in the distribution of ingredients and food products for food service professionals, including pastry shops, bakeries, restaurants, hotels and ice cream parlors. It offers a wide range of products including chocolate, pastry bases, spreads, cured meats, cheeses, fish, flours, preserved vegetables, truffles, spices, sauces, pasta and cereals, gluten-free products and more. Casa Tessieri is also active in vocational training through its dedicated school.

Baker & Baker Italy Srl: It is a leading manufacturer of frozen bakery products, operating in more than ** countries in Europe and around the world. With ** production sites in six European countries and more than *,*** employees, the company offers a wide range of sweet and savory products, both under its own brand and under license from famous brands such as OREO, Cadbury and Milka. Baker & Baker is committed to operating sustainably, improving the environmental footprint of its business and working with customers to achieve common sustainability goals.

Josef Lona & Co. Srl G.M.B.H: Italian company active since ****, specializing in the distribution of confectionery and snack products from well-known European ...

3.4 Main companies in chocolate processing

With ateco code **.**, production of cocoa, chocolate, candy and confectionery, there are *** companies including *** corporations, the total turnover of these enterprises is €*,***,***,***.

These are the main ones:

Ferrero Industriale Italia Srl: part of the Ferrero Group, is a company based in Alba, Cuneo, founded in ****. Specializing in the production of chocolate and confectionery products, the company employs about **** people. It is involved in the production of cocoa, chocolate, pralines, sweet spreads and desserts, managing the transformation of raw materials into finished products. Ferrero Industriale Italia is known for the high quality of its products and its commitment to sustainability. The company has implemented initiatives such as "Forever Chocolate," aimed at improving cocoa farming and promoting sustainable practices throughout the production chain. Ferrero, with its iconic products such as Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac and Ferrero Rocher, is present in more than *** countries worldwide, reflecting an effective integration of tradition and innovation.

Lindt & Sprungli Spa: It is an important part of the Swiss Lindt & Sprüngli Group, known for the production and distribution of premium chocolate. The company is based in Induno Olona, Varese, Italy. Founded in ****, it produces a wide range of chocolates, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, pralines, truffles and other ...

4.1 Products offered

The different types of chocolate best known are:

In addition, based on the form the chocolate takes and the method used in production, we can distinguish between:

4.2 Price trends in the market

Between **** and ****, the consumer price index for chocolate in Italy rose from ***.* to ***.*, an overall increase of *.* percent. After a slight decline in ****, prices returned to steady growth through ****. Consumer chocolate price index for the whole community (***) - annual data [***] Italy, ****-****, index ****=*** Istat

Over the period ****-****, the increase intensifies, with the index rising from ***.* to ***.*, marking a * percent increase in one year.

Consumer chocolate price index for the whole community (***) - monthly data [***] Italy, ****-****, index Istat

The price of chocolate depends a lot on the type of production.

Artisanal productions are more expensive and depend on the production process, the search for ingredients and flavors, but also on the reputation of the artisan, such as Guido Gobino or Guido Castagna, and of the confectioner, such as the Marchesi pastry shop in Milan or the Bonajuto chocolate shop in Modica.

Artisanal spreads Price € Cocoa cream *** g Guido Gobino **.** Cocoa cream *** g Guido Castagna **.** Cocoa cream *** g Marchesi **.**

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4.3 Supply innovations

The chocolate market is evolving rapidly with several emerging trends for ****. Here are the main ones:

Vegan Chocolate: Plant-based chocolate is growing rapidly. Companies such as Nestlé have introduced vegan versions of their iconic products, such as vegan KitKat. This trend is fueled by increased consumer awareness of environmental and health impacts, with many seeing plant-based products as a more sustainable and healthy alternative(***).

Sustainable Agriculture: Consumers are increasingly interested in products that support sustainable farming practices and fair trade. Brands such as Belcolade use the Cacao-Trace program, which rewards cocoa farmers with bonuses for the quality of their products. This approach not only improves farmers' livelihoods, but also ensures superior chocolate quality(***).

Chocolate with Botanicals: There is a growing interest in chocolate enriched with botanical ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and cardamom. These ingredients not only enhance flavor, but also add health benefits such as mood enhancement and stress reduction(***).

Sensory Innovation: In Asia, in particular, there is a strong demand for new and innovative sensory experiences. This has led to the development of chocolates with unique textures and flavors, responding to consumers' search for new food experiences(***).

Sustainability and Ethics: In the United States and other regions, there ...

5.1 Italian regulations

On July **, **** after years of troubled legislative processes that began in ****, the European Parliament finally approved Directive ****/**/EC, * which harmonizes chocolate legislation and extends it to all fifteen member countries. The goal of the Directive is to ensure a greater degree of protection for the consumer, who must be fully aware of what he or she is buying. Directive ****/**/EC was implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree ***/****. The new Directive brings many new features including:

The possibility in member states to add in chocolate products other vegetable fats than cocoa butter, within a maximum limit of * percent of the finished product. The minimum percentage of cocoa butter set by the regulations must still be respected . The vegetable fats must be equivalent to cocoa butter and are strictly those specified in the Directive Chocolate products that contain vegetable fats other than cocoa butter, may be marketed in all member states, provided that their labeling, bears the conspicuous and clearly legible statement, "contains other fats in addition to cocoa butter." The legislation recalls the application of the general labeling provisions contained in Directive **/***/EEC implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree ***/****, as amended. there is an obligation to state on the label the minimum ...

5.2 Conclusion

The global chocolate market is growing steadily from $***.** billion in **** to an estimated $***.** billion by **** with a CAGR of *.**%. In Europe, the market, estimated at ** billion in ****, will grow to **.** billion by **** with a CAGR of *.**%. Italy, although with an average consumption of *.* kg per capita per year, lower than the European average of *.** kg, is renowned for the quality of its artisan chocolate and is home to leading brands such as Ferrero and Lindt, which together account for ** percent of the domestic market.

The decrease in the number of companies (***) focus on sustainability and innovation, with products responding to new trends: vegan, organic and sugar-free chocolate, as well as initiatives to ensure an ethical supply chain.

Inflation, caused by rising raw material and energy costs, has led to an increase in production prices (***). On the demand side, there is increased interest in premium and functional chocolate, as well as traditional flavors such as dark chocolate, preferred by ** percent of Italians. Legislatively, the market is regulated by Italian and European regulations on traceability and quality, but no major recent regulatory changes emerge.

Analyst's comment:

The market shows moderate growth globally and in Europe. The Italian market seems to be in very ...

6.1 Segmentation

• Lindt Italia
• Nestlè Italia (Perugina)
• Irca
• Icam
• Elah Dufour Novi
• Ferrero
• Nutkao Srl
• Dolfin Srl
• Mondelez Italie
• Tessieri Srl
• Josef Lona & Co. Srl G.M.B.H.
• Baker & Baker Italy Srl