'Healthy' chocolates to drive US chocolate products

The US chocolate industry is likely to be hampered by the rising cost and intermittent supply of raw materials, according to a new report from market research firm Lucintel.

The industry will experience moderate growth, reaching an estimated $19.3 billion in 2018, the report predicts. Innovative new products featuring new flavours and with reduced calories (such as sugar-free products) will increase the industry’s growth, the company says.

Key drivers for the industry include increasing consumer expenditure and per capita income. Consumer awareness of brands, gifting for celebrations and increasingly hectic consumer lifestyles will drive industry growth, Lucintel predicts.

The study found that 73.9% of the US population, regardless of gender, likes to indulge in chocolate treats. Lucintel sees possibilities for chocolate products which double as health supplements and chocolates for the health-conscious.

The full report - US Chocolate Industry 2013-2018: Trend, Forecast and Opportunity Analysis - is available from the Lucintel website: www.lucintel.com.