In the US, the retail market for chocolate has shown fast growth, with sales rising 22 per cent from 2002 to 2007, to reach $16.3bn (€11.5bn). according to research by Mintel
International Group Ltd. In Europe overall sales for dark chocolate hit £85m (€106m) last year, almost doubling - by 96 per cent - between 2005 and 2007.
According to Packaged
Facts, a consumer goods research company, overall US chocolate sales are forecast to reach $18bn (€13.2bn) by 2011, up from $16bn (€11.7bn) in 2006, driven in part by premium chocolate.
The report finds that strong consumer interest in the reported health benefits of dark chocolate and a general trend towards product premiumization (including organic and fair trade products) are the main drivers in current market growth. The market share for premium chocolate escalated from 13 percent of the total market in 2002 to nearly 17 percent in 2006.
Packaged Facts estimates that premium chocolate sales will continue to expand, commanding 25 percent of the market by 2011 and generating $4.5 billion in sales.
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