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Chocolate News - Stay up to date on what's new in the world of chocolate

Our chocolate guru, Pam Williams, featured on Good Morning America.

Chocolate news that would be of interest to chocolate aficionados and industry professionals as well as the latest articles focused on chocolate and health.

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Chocolate News

Record surge for chocolate by American consumers has pushed sales to $29bn, with retail chocolate sales climbing more than 5% a quarter, according to data in January 2022 from Chicago-based researcher IRI.

According to Dawn Foods 2022 Flavor trends, "We didn’t think it is possible for consumer to love chocolate more but turns out that they do! In in times of high stress it is not uncommon to turn to things that make us most happy."

North America sales of chocolate is $20.7 billion annually and the #2 flavor in the market globally
71% of North American consumers want to try new & exciting chocolate experiences.
86% of Consumers claim to LOVE chocolate!

"Everyday confectionery sales have seen modest increases in both the chocolate and non-chocolate sectors, which gained 5.5 and 1.6 percent respectively between March 15 and September 6. The majority of US consumers reported enjoying chocolate (92 percent) or non-chocolate candy (80 percent) during this period." from NCA's three part series on the impact of the 2020 Pandemic on chocolate and confectionery.

The Chocolate Industry by the Numbers

The North American (US, Canada, Mexico) chocolate market is anticipated to increase 4.7 percent by 2025, with growing demand for confectionery, particularly around seasons, and other products categories leveraging chocolate, according to Grand View Research, Inc. Rising demand for organic and high-cocoa content products are also expected to boost chocolate sales. Grand View expects dark chocolate sales to expand 7.5 percent in terms of revenue, while the gourmet sector is anticipated to increase 4.8 percent during the forecast period.

"Increased sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa will drive $7 billion in worldwide sales growth for premium chocolate by 2022", according to a report by Technavio. Their analysts have identified "the increasing premiumization of chocolates as one of the major factors driving the growth of the chocolate market. Vendors, especially in China, India, and Brazil are offering new variety of chocolates to improve differentiation, personalization, and premiumization of chocolates. They are trying to attract customers who are influenced by ingredients, exclusivity, price, provenance, and packaging." Widening consumer interest in gluten- and sugar-free, vegan and organic varieties will also contribute to the increase.

Functional, organic and reduced sugar chocolate are set for higher volume and value growth than regular chocolate up to 2021, says Euromonitor. The healthy chocolate confectionery category [which includes fine chocolate], including fortified functional, organic, reduced fat and sugar, is set to grow by almost double the rate in retail value and volume consumption as regular chocolate confectionery by 2021, according to the market research firm.

According to Research and Markets, "The Europe confectionery market is expected to reach USD 83 billion by 2023, witnessing a stable CAGR of 3 %, during the forecast period. Confectionery consumption volume in the region surpassed 5,875 million Kg in 2017, moving at steady volume growth rate. Western Europe dominates the chocolate sale followed by central and Eastern Europe. Increased demand for higher quality cocoa products and premium chocolate accelerated confectionery sale in Europe."

A lot of the growth will come from regions such as Asia, Brazil and the Middle East. In Japan, the percieved health benefits of cocoa among Japanese consumers continues to drive the domestic chocolate market, according to Euromonitor International,"The growing dark chocolate consumption by elderly Japanese consumers reflects the country’s aging population."

India is the fastest growing market for chocolate in the world right now, according to Mintel Group. India's chocolate confectionery market has had a strong CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19.9%, in retail market value, between 2011 and 2015, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.6% from 2016 to 2020.

"India has shown a steady growth in the chocolate confectionery segment given the growing disposable income and young population's taste for indulgence," said Marcia Mogelonsky, a director at Mintel's food and drink division.

Also, Smart Research Insights projects India’s chocolate market — which experienced 13 percent year-on-year growth in 2016 — to grow by 30 percent by 2020. “World over there is growth potential in the customized and luxury segments,” the report’s executive summary reads. “People have a rising affinity for handcrafted chocolate, and many startups are dabbling in the art of chocolate making.”

Chocolate consumption is on the rise in the Middle East. According to 6Wresearch research, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% in revenue terms during 2017-2023. Global sales of Halal-certified chocolate confectionery will reach $1.7 billion by 2020, growing at a 5 percent annual rate that exceeds the 4 percent gains expected for all chocolates, according to Euromonitor International.

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What our Graduates have to say:

lovesomechocolates @ecolechocolat I started as a novice "rookie" chocolatier in my home 3.5 short years ago. Mostly self taught. Lots (and lots) of trial and error. I had a lot of the basics down when I took your Professional Chocolatier Course, but lacked in technique. Thanks to you I continue to polish my craft. There's quite a bit I still need to perfect. But I am light years ahead of where I was even a year ago. I'm proud to say I'm an @ecolechocolat graduate. And I'm hopeful to continue pursuing future coursework and being a lifelong learner. My dream is to blossom from a craft chocolatier in lil 'ol Long Beach California into a Master Chocolatier who's traveled the globe and experienced all that the world has to offer in chocolate. This is my joy and passion! Thank you for helping me perfect my skills and inspiring my dream!

Find out more about our graduates and their awards on our Meet our Graduates page.

Chocolate & Health

For an excellent overview about chocolate and health, watch our Chocolate Masters Hangout video

We always have a number of students interested in working with chocolate and making chocolate products that meet their dietary choices, such as organic, fair trade, sustainable and functional (i.e., low or no sugar, keto, ingredient-enhanced, raw, no GMO, gluten-free, vegan, etc.). This mirrors the global demand for specialized chocolate products that has grown steadily over the past 15 years. Those students take the recipes and formulations our programs in any direction they want or need to go. LEARN MORE...

Chocolate & Health News

These Dark Chocolate Bars Are so Satisfying, You’ll Forget They’re Fairly Healthy. Full Story

High Intake of Chocolate in Morning Helps Reduce Blood Sugar and Weight: Study

These Cacao Health Benefits Are Sure to Blow Your Mind - Cacao is one heck of a magical food. Not only is it used to make chocolate, but it's packed with antioxidants, minerals, and even some fiber to boot. (And again, it makes chocolate.) Full Story

One Surprising Effect of Eating Chocolate, New Study Says. Now, new research suggests it may help you burn more calories while sitting on the couch. Full Story

Does cocoa make you smarter: the cognitive benefits of flavanols revealed. Full Story

Consuming dark chocolate may be linked to a lower risk of depression. Full Story

Italian researchers studying chocolate and memory have found that chocolate consumption may help to improve memory and other measures of cognitive performance. Full Story

Researchers at Penn State have found that roasting cocoa beans may help to preserve nutrients and even boost the effects of some antioxidants. Full Story

Danish scientists may have found a reason for the link between reduced heart disease and cocoa consumption. Their research suggests that chocolate consumption may lower risk for atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat that can lead to stroke, heart failure and other health issues. Full Story

Antioxidant properties of the phytochemicals found in chocolate may reduce risk of some types of cancer. Full Story

Results of a small study suggest that cocoa consumption could help to reduce risk of heart disease in post menopausal women. Full Story

Scientists starting a four year study to look at the impact of cocoa extract taken as a pill on health outcomes including heart attack and stroke. Full Story

Higher cocoa content does not necessarily mean that a chocolate bar is healthier for you. Researchers find that cocoa percentage may not be linked to flavanol content. Full Story

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Photography by Jessica Washburn, Bliss Chocolatier and Ecole Chocolat

Ecole Chocolat is a woman-owned and operated chocolate education organization. Founded by chocolatier, Pam Williams, we are the professional school of chocolate arts for both chocolatiers and chocolate makers. We also donate our time, leadership, expertise and funds to preserve the fine chocolate industry and save fine cacao.

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