The global confectionery market is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, with revenue expected to reach $619.20 billion by 2025. This growth is attributed to an annual growth rate of 5.35% between 2025 and 2029. A key factor driving this growth is the increasing focus on health and wellness among consumers, leading to a shift in demand towards more health-conscious options such as plant-based, gluten-free, and reduced-sugar varieties.
One demographic that presents a lucrative opportunity for confectionery brands is generation alpha, which includes children under 14 years old. These young consumers can be targeted through their parents or as emerging consumers in their own right. Brands have recognized the potential in creating better-for-you treats specifically designed for school-aged children. For example, The Functional Chocolate Company has launched the FunCho Kids range, which blends dark chocolate with botanicals to address everyday health concerns.
The FunCho Kids range includes products like Carefree Chocolate, Painfree, and Sleepy Chocolate, each formulated with specific ingredients to promote relaxation, pain relief, and better sleep. These products cater to the health needs of children, offering parents a sweet yet functional solution to common health issues. The company’s co-founder, Chris Peruzzi, created the Functional Chocolate Company with the goal of addressing health realities faced by his own children, such as stress, anxiety, and premenstrual syndrome.
Functional confectionery for children is a growing market space that appeals to consumers by combining fun and functionality in chocolate and candy creations. Brands can offer these products in convenient, on-the-go packaging that appeals to school-age children, providing added convenience for parents. The trend towards functional confections is driven by parents seeking healthier alternatives to traditional sugary treats, without compromising on taste or enjoyment for their children.
The Functional Confectionery Company believes that chocolate is an ideal base for enhancing formulations due to its functional and indulgent properties. Dark chocolate, in particular, is considered a functional food and superfood due to its high flavanols, antioxidants, and minerals. By fortifying chocolate with active nutraceuticals, brands can create an indulgent and effective experience that appeals to both children and parents.
Several brands have already made strides in the functional confectionery space, offering products that cater to health-conscious consumers. For example, Chupa Chups Sugar-Free Lollipops are suitable for vegetarians and free from gluten, dairy, and nuts. YummyEarth offers allergen-friendly sweets that are free from the top nine allergens, including a range of chocolate, lollipops, hard candy, and gummies. Smart Sweets is known for its reduced-sugar and plant-based confectionery selection, including chewy candy, hard candy, gummies, and sours.
In conclusion, the global confectionery market is poised for growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and more functional options. Brands that tap into this trend by offering better-for-you treats for children stand to benefit from a growing market of health-conscious consumers. By combining fun and functionality in their products, confectionery brands can cater to the evolving needs and preferences of today’s consumers, including generation alpha and their health-conscious parents.
