Nils-Gerrit Wunsch
Research expert covering foods trends in North America, Europe, and the global food system
Sugar confectionery market in the UK - statistics & facts
Confectionery is generally separated into sugar confectionery and flour-based or bakers' confectionery, such as pastries. The sugar confectionery industry alone covers a large variety of products, each with an enormous sales value in the United Kingdom. For example, bars with added cereal, fruits, or nuts, generate sales of over 67 million British pounds on their own. In total, the manufacturers of cocoa, sugar, and confectionery in the UK generate a revenue of more than 5.1 billion British pounds.
Manufacturing of chocolate
The annual sales of chocolate confectionary manufactured in the UK reach nearly 286 million British pounds. This is the highest sales value in over a decade and an increase of over 58 million British pounds. Furthermore, UK-produced chocolate bars reach close to 481 million British pounds. There are almost 500 enterprises which manufacture cocoa, chocolate, and sugar confectionary in the UK. Ten of those enterprises have a turnover of more than 50 million British pounds, but most of the companies in the industry make less than a quarter million in turnover.Consumption of confectionaries
UK consumers spent 13.4 billion British pounds on sugar, confectionery, and ice cream. Spending has been growing in recent years. When expenses are broken down, consumers spent the most money on filled chocolate bars, followed by solid chocolate bars, and boiled sweets. They spent smaller amounts on mints, chewing gum, fudges, toffees, and caramel. Nonetheless, consumer prices have increased significantly. The Consumer price index (CPI) of confectionery in the UK has had its highest increase within the last two decades in 2023. The index includes prices for sugar, jam, syrups, chocolate, and other confectionery.
