Market Forecast By Type (Sugar, Chocolate, Fine Bakery Wares, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarket/Hypermarket, Specialist Retailers, Online Retail Stores, Convenience Stores, Other Distribution Channels) And Competitive Landscape
Product Code: ETC018161 | Publication Date: Oct 2020 | Updated Date: Sep 2025 | Product Type: Report | |
Publisher: 6Wresearch | No. of Pages: 70 | No. of Figures: 35 | No. of Tables: 5 | |
The China Confectionery Market may undergo a gradual slowdown in growth rates between 2025 and 2029. Beginning strongly at 8.28% in 2025, growth softens to 6.45% in 2029.
Report Name | China Confectionery Market |
Forecast Period | 2025 2029 |
Projected CAGR | 6.45% |
Growing Sector | Sugar Confectionery |
The China Confectionery Market report thoroughly covers the market by type, and distribution channel. The market report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high growth areas, and market drivers, which would help stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
China confectionery market is set to grow significantly, supported by rising disposable incomes, urbanization trends, shifting consumer tastes towards premium and health-conscious treats, and booming online sales channels. Regulatory measures and government efforts to improve public health by cutting sugar consumption, encouraging sustainable practices, and bolstering local production and supply chain stability are also key market drivers.
Below mentioned are some prominent drivers and their influence to the market dynamics:
Driver | Primary Segments Affected | Why it matters (evidence) |
Rising disposable incomes & expanding middle class | Chocolate; Fine Bakery Wares; Premium sugar/confectionery | Consumers in tier‑1 and tier‑2 cities are increasingly buying imported and high‑end chocolates and candies. Premiumization is a key trend. |
Health & wellness / sugar reduction | Sugar Confectionery; Chocolate with lower sugar, functional confectionery | There is strong growth in functional candies, low‑/no‑sugar chocolates. Frost & Sullivan reports ~17.3% CAGR for functional candy in China. |
E‑commerce growth & digitalization | All types, especially premium & specialty, fine bakery wares; distribution channels: Online Retail Stores | Platforms like Tmall, JD.com, and livestreaming sale events raise reach; rural penetration via online is increasing. |
Cultural & Seasonal Gifting / Occasion‑Driven Demand | Sugar and chocolate segments; Specialist Retailers; Supermarkets during festivals | Demand spikes around Chinese New Year, Qixi, Mid‑Autumn Festival; packaging, gift boxes are big. |
Innovation in flavor, texture, packaging | Chocolate; Fine Bakery Wares; Others (e.g. gummies, functional candy) | New flavors inspired by local tastes, experimental textures (soft chewy, sour belts etc.), luxury packaging, and aesthetics are increasingly important. |
The China Confectionery Market is projected to grow rapidly, growing at a compound annual growth rate of (CAGR) of 6.45% during the forecast period 2025-2029. The China confectionery market is fueled by increasing disposable incomes, which boost demand for luxury and indulgent treats. Growing consumer health consciousness supports the rise of low-sugar and functional confectionery. The expansion of online retail offers wider product access, especially in smaller cities. Sales also benefit from seasonal festivals and cultural gifting customs, while fresh flavor combinations, diverse textures, and appealing packaging draw in younger shoppers seeking unique and customized options.
Below mentioned are some major restraints and their influence to the market dynamics:
Restraint | Primary Segments Affected | What this means (evidence) |
Increased regulatory pressure on sugar content / health regulation | Sugar Confectionery; Chocolate high‑sugar products | Government health initiatives (“Healthy China 2030”) aim to reduce sugar intake; manufacturers need to reformulate. |
Rising cost of raw materials (cocoa, sugar, packaging) | Chocolate; Sugar confectionery; Fine bakery wares | Volatility in raw material markets affects margins; imported cocoa or specialty ingredients more expensive. |
Price sensitivity in lower‑income & rural segments | Sugar Confectionery; Bulk / mass products | While premium & functional segments grow fast, many consumers in less affluent regions remain very price sensitive. |
Competition from local brands & imports | All segments; especially chocolate premium vs local chocolate | Local manufacturers are improving quality and brand recognition; imported products face tariffs, supply chain costs. |
Although demand is strong, the China Confectionery Market Growth faces obstacles like adapting products to meet health guidelines, including reducing sugar and incorporating substitutes. Ensuring food safety and consistent supply chains is essential. Rising ingredient costs affect profit margins, and balancing premium pricing with consumer affordability is necessary. Additionally, handling seasonal demand variations—such as excess inventory or shortages during peak festival periods—complicates operations for producers and sellers.
Key trends influencing the growth of the market are:
There are some main areas of investment opportunity in the market which includes:
Ingredient innovation: natural sweeteners, sugar replacers, improved texture technologies to maintain indulgence while meeting health standards.
Here are the top 5 leading players that contribute to China Confectionery Market Share: -
Company Name | Hsu Fu Chi International Ltd. |
Established Year | 1992 |
Headquarters | Guangzhou, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Hsu Fu Chi is one of China’s largest confectionery manufacturers, offering a wide range of sugar, chocolate, and bakery products catering to mass and premium markets.
Company Name | Guangzhou Want Want Group |
Established Year | 1962 |
Headquarters | Guangzhou, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Want Want Group specializes in snacks and confectionery, including candies, crackers, and other sweets, with a strong presence in domestic and international markets.
Company Name | Lotte Confectionery (China) |
Established Year | 1967 (Global), China operations since 1990s |
Headquarters | Beijing, China |
Official Website | - |
Lotte Confectionery offers a variety of chocolate, gum, and candy products in China, focusing on innovation and premium offerings.
Company Name | Ferrero China |
Established Year | 1946 (Global), China operations since early 2000s |
Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Ferrero is a leading global chocolate and confectionery brand, popular in China for premium chocolates and gift packaging.
Company Name | Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. (China operations) |
Established Year | 1916 (Global), China operations since early 2000s |
Headquarters | Beijing, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Meiji is a well-known confectionery brand offering chocolates, candies, and dairy-based sweets, focusing on quality and innovation in China.
According to Chinese Government Data, The Healthy China 2030 effort propels the confectionery business by advocating for diminished sugar intake and enhanced nutrition, fostering product reformulation with zero-sugar and natural sweeteners. Government-sponsored initiatives such as the Bayn/Huahe collaboration advocate for sugar-reduction retail strategies to combat obesity and diabetes. Enhanced food safety and labeling rules compel producers to adopt increased transparency. Furthermore, investments in domestic cocoa processing, import infrastructure, and trade agreements enhance supply chains and diminish dependence on imports, thereby fostering market stability and growth.
China Confectionery Industry is expected to continue a strong growth trajectory through 2031, with shifts toward premium, functional, and health-oriented products becoming even more pronounced. Online and omnichannel distribution will likely dominate growth, especially reaching beyond the major cities into tier 3 and rural areas. Flavor and packaging innovation, together with sustainability and social responsibility, will become necessary for both consumer loyalty and regulatory compliance. Companies that can innovate around taste and health, secure reliable ingredient supply, and adapt to changing cultural gifting & seasonal demand will likely lead.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Vasudha, Senior Research Analyst at 6Wresearch, The Sugar confectionery segment dominates the China Confectionery Market Share due to its affordability and mass appeal. Traditional candies and bulk sweet items remain popular across all demographics, making sugar confectionery the most widely consumed category despite slower growth compared to premium chocolate and bakery items.
Supermarket and Hypermarket channels hold the largest market share as they offer a broad variety of confectionery products at competitive prices. They cater primarily to mass-market consumers seeking everyday treats, making these channels the most dominant in overall confectionery sales.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments:
1 Executive Summary |
2 Introduction |
2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
2.2 Report Description |
2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
2.4 Research Methodology |
2.5 Assumptions |
3 China Confectionery Market Overview |
3.1 China Country Macro Economic Indicators |
3.2 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, 2019 & 2029F |
3.3 China Confectionery Market - Industry Life Cycle |
3.4 China Confectionery Market - Porter's Five Forces |
3.5 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Type, 2019 & 2029F |
3.6 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Distribution Channel, 2019 & 2029F |
4 China Confectionery Market Dynamics |
4.1 Impact Analysis |
4.2 Market Drivers |
4.2.1 Increasing disposable income of consumers in China |
4.2.2 Growing urbanization leading to higher demand for convenient snack options |
4.2.3 Rising popularity of gifting confectionery items during festivals and celebrations |
4.3 Market Restraints |
4.3.1 Intense competition from local and international confectionery brands |
4.3.2 Health concerns and changing consumer preferences towards healthier snacking options |
5 China Confectionery Market Trends |
6 China Confectionery Market, By Types |
6.1 China Confectionery Market, By Type |
6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.1.2 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Type, 2019 - 2029F |
6.1.3 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Sugar, 2019 - 2029F |
6.1.4 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Chocolate, 2019 - 2029F |
6.1.5 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Fine Bakery Wares, 2019 - 2029F |
6.1.6 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2019 - 2029F |
6.2 China Confectionery Market, By Distribution Channel |
6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.2.2 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Supermarket/Hypermarket, 2019 - 2029F |
6.2.3 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Specialist Retailers, 2019 - 2029F |
6.2.4 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Online Retail Stores, 2019 - 2029F |
6.2.5 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Convenience Stores, 2019 - 2029F |
6.2.6 China Confectionery Market Revenues & Volume, By Other Distribution Channels, 2019 - 2029F |
7 China Confectionery Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
7.1 China Confectionery Market Export to Major Countries |
7.2 China Confectionery Market Imports from Major Countries |
8 China Confectionery Market Key Performance Indicators |
8.1 Consumer engagement on social media platforms for confectionery brands |
8.2 Number of new product launches in the confectionery segment |
8.3 Growth in online sales of confectionery products |
8.4 Adoption rate of innovative packaging solutions in the confectionery market |
9 China Confectionery Market - Opportunity Assessment |
9.1 China Confectionery Market Opportunity Assessment, By Type, 2019 & 2029F |
9.2 China Confectionery Market Opportunity Assessment, By Distribution Channel, 2019 & 2029F |
10 China Confectionery Market - Competitive Landscape |
10.1 China Confectionery Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
10.2 China Confectionery Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
11 Company Profiles |
12 Recommendations |
13 Disclaimer |