A reference page from The Marketplace Fudge and More
Chocolate & Candy Industry Statistics
Key U.S. confectionery market and shopping figures, collected in one place for writers, researchers, and curious candy people.
Last updated September 15, 2026. All figures below name their original reporting year or forecast period.
What these figures cover
These are U.S. confectionery-category figures, covering chocolate, non-chocolate candy, gum, and mints. Fudge is part of the wider candy world, but it is not reported as a separate national sales category in the source data.
The numbers
U.S. chocolate and candy statistics
$54B
U.S. confectionery sales in 2024
Chocolate, candy, gum, and mints together topped $54 billion in retail sales.
Source: National Confectioners Association, March 3, 202598%
of shoppers bought confectionery in 2024
Nearly every surveyed shopper reported buying chocolate, candy, gum, or mints at some point during the year.
Source: National Confectioners Association, March 3, 202562%
of sales came from four major seasons
Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and the winter holidays accounted for 62% of 2024 confectionery sales.
Source: National Confectioners Association, March 3, 2025Nearly $5B
non-chocolate sales growth since 2019
Non-chocolate candy gained nearly $5 billion from 2019 to 2024, an increase of almost 70%.
Source: National Confectioners Association, March 3, 20252 to 3x
average weekly enjoyment frequency
The report says people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy two to three times per week.
Source: National Confectioners Association, 2025 report$70.4B
projected U.S. confectionery sales by 2029
Euromonitor's January 2025 forecast, reported by NCA, projects total category sales of $70.4 billion by 2029.
Source: NCA State of Treating 2025, Euromonitor forecast$38B
projected chocolate sales by 2029
Chocolate sales are projected to rise by $10 billion and reach $38 billion by 2029.
Source: NCA State of Treating 2025, Euromonitor forecast$27B
projected non-chocolate sales by 2029
Non-chocolate candy, including mints, is projected to reach $27 billion by 2029.
Source: NCA State of Treating 2025, Euromonitor forecastSources and method
How this page was put together
The figures come from the National Confectioners Association's 2025 State of Treating report and its March 2025 category summary. The report combines a national online shopper survey conducted December 6 to 12, 2024, with a sample of 1,551 adults ages 18 to 75, plus retail measurement and category forecast data.
- Confectionery Sales Break Records, Surpass $54 Billion in 2024, National Confectioners Association, March 3, 2025
- State of Treating 2025, National Confectioners Association, published February 20, 2025
Forecast figures are estimates, not recorded sales. They are identified as projections and should be cited that way.
Citing this page
Use a stable link to the statistic you reference.
Suggested citation: The Marketplace Fudge and More. "Chocolate & Candy Industry Statistics." Updated September 15, 2026. https://themarketplacefudgeandmore.com/fudge-statistics
For a specific number, link directly to its source or use the statistic's linked heading on this page. Each figure has a permanent section anchor.
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