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Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Melanie Katz Melanie Katz Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: February 2025 WZ C10.82DE

Revenue

€16.2bn

2025

€16.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

43,969

Businesses

480

Wages

€X.Xbn

Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany industry analysis

The German confectionery industry is one of the largest producers and exporters of confectionery in Europe and the world's largest chocolate manufacturer. In the period from 2020 to 2025, industry turnover grew by an average of 1.9% per year. In 2020 and 2021, the coronavirus crisis not only made international trade more difficult, but also had a negative impact on consumer confidence and national and international travel. This in turn led to a drop in sales of chocolate, gummy bears and other confectionery at airports, train stations, petrol stations and kiosks. In addition, the lockdown in spring 2020 deprived many confectionery manufacturers of Easter business and thus slowed sales growth. In the current year, higher sales prices and rising confectionery exports are likely to contribute to sales growth of 1.8% to 16.2 billion euros. < />The industry obtains most of its input factors from abroad, meaning that its cost structure is heavily influenced by the development of world market prices, particularly for cocoa and sugar. In recent years, this has led to uncertainties with regard to cost and price calculations and is likely to remain a factor of uncertainty in the future. In addition, current trends towards more conscious consumer behaviour pose further challenges for industry players, including both the compatibility of their products with a healthier diet and the consideration of production conditions and sustainability aspects along the value chain. Over the past five years, many companies have been able to gain a competitive advantage by selling fair trade, vegan and sugar-reduced products, for example. Demand for fair trade and premium products has also been boosted by rising household incomes over the past five years.In the period from 2025 to 2030, turnover in the industry is expected to grow by an average of 2.2% per year, reaching 18 billion euros in 2030. The industry is likely to remain dominated by well-known brand manufacturers in the future, who will continue to invest in the development of new products due to the ongoing competitive pressure.

Trends and Insights

  • The export business is an important pillar for confectionery manufacturers. The German confectionery industry is one of the largest producers and exporters in Europe, as Germany is valued as a production location for its quality.
  • Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kilograms account for around two thirds of industry sales. This includes chocolate bars of all kinds, pralines, spreads containing cocoa and drinks containing cocoa.
  • Candy manufacturers prefer to locate near their customers. The central region has the most inhabitants in Germany and the most supermarket and discount store branches, which is why many candy manufacturers are also based here.
  • The confectionery manufacturing industry is characterised by intense competition. Competition within the industry is primarily based on pricing, product quality and the companies' brand strategy.

Access hundreds of data points and trends

  • Market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €16.2bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

Weather-related crop failures drive the price of cocoa to a record level

  • In March 2024, the price of cocoa on the New York Commodity Exchange exceeded the USD 10,000 per tonne mark for the first time. Compared to the previous year, the price of cocoa has more than tripled. The reason for the sharp rise in procurement prices for cocoa is a shortage of the commodity on the global market due to crop failures in West Africa. Heavy rainfall in 2023 and a prolonged drought in early 2024 led to poor harvests in the main cocoa-growing regions of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Rising commodity prices will play an increasingly important role in the future

  • Climate change means that extreme weather events are occurring more frequently, which can cause shortages and therefore price increases for raw materials such as cocoa or sugar. It is therefore particularly important for manufacturers of chocolate and other products containing cocoa to conclude long-term supply contracts with suppliers. This can reduce the risk of extreme price increases such as those seen at the beginning of 2024, when the global market price for cocoa more than tripled compared to the previous year.

Biggest companies in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (€m)
2025
2,568.0
2,388.1
988.5

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kg, Confectionery without cocoa content and Chocolate and products containing cocoa over 2 kg. Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kg is the largest segment of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kilograms record a constant share of sales

  • This product segment includes chocolate bars, sticks or bars, unfilled or filled, with or without added cereals, fruit or nuts, as well as alcoholic or non-alcoholic, filled or unfilled chocolates, cocoa-based spreads and cocoa-based drink preparations.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This sector deals with the production of sweeteners such as cocoa and the processing of other substances obtained from the cocoa plant, the production of chocolate, chewing gum, sweets and other sugar confectionery, as well as food preservation by adding sugar. The production of sugar, baked goods and ice cream, on the other hand, does not fall within the scope of the industry players' activities.

What's included in this industry?

Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kgConfectionery without cocoa content

Companies

August Storck KGFerrero Middle and Eastern Europe GmbHChocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

RUBBER BONDSSTEVIASUPERFOOD

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 10.82 - Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The export business is an important pillar for confectionery manufacturers. The German confectionery industry is one of the largest producers and exporters in Europe, as Germ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kilograms account for around two thirds of industry sales. This includes chocolate bars of all kinds, pralines, spreads contai...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Candy manufacturers prefer to locate near their customers. The central region has the most inhabitants in Germany and the most supermarket and discount store branches, which ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The confectionery manufacturing industry is characterised by intense competition. Competition within the industry is primarily based on pricing, product quality and the compa...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

August Storck KG has the largest market share in the confectionery manufacturing industry. The company continues to produce mainly in Germany in order to benefit from the "Ma...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
  • Overview of August Storck KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Ferrero Middle and Eastern Europe GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for August Storck KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Ferrero Middle and Eastern Europe GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Industry players must comply with EC Regulation 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, according to which they are obliged to ensure the safety of their products through a hyg...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profit margin is influenced by many factors. Volatile commodity prices, increased energy and labour costs and the market power of supermarkets and discounters ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany in 2025?

The market size of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany is €16.2bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany industry in 2025?

There are 480 businesses in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production market in Germany are August Storck KG, Ferrero Middle and Eastern Europe GmbH and Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH

What does the Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany include?

Chocolate and products containing cocoa up to 2 kg and Confectionery without cocoa content are part of the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is August Storck KG.

How competitive is the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Chocolate & Confectionery Production industry in Germany.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.