Looking back at 2025, the year proved volatile for both confectionery manufacturers and suppliers. However, the period ultimately ended on a sweet note, with many producers hoping for lower cocoa prices during the year ahead.

The confectioner atop this year’s Global Top 100 list is again Mondelēz International, coming in at $38.5 billion in revenue.* A newcomer to this year’s iteration—though technically, one Candy Industry welcomes back—includes R.C. Purdy Chocolates, based in Vancouver, B.C., at No. 99 (it made the 2023 list, but not 2024’s).

The year started off with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Chocolate brand debuting a new look for its chocolate bars—however, later on, it sold the brand to Magic Chocolate Inc., transitioning out of the confectionery business. CEO and Co-founder Joe Whinney, who was an original partner in the business, stayed on, though, along with Swiss chocolatier Maestrani.

A huge news story last year was Mars acquiring snack brand Kellanova, with the transaction finally being cleared by the European Commission in December; the deal was originally announced in August 2024. Mars’s snacking business (including its candy brands) now generates approximately $36 billion in annual revenues, putting it at No. 2 on the Global Top 100 list this year.

In fact, the candy behemoth had quite a busy year: back in September, it transitioned all of its Europe snacking facilities—which produce 900,000 tons of confectionery annually—to renewable energy, and in July, it said it would invest $2 billion in its U.S. manufacturing by 2026.

In personnel news, Hershey announced in January that Michele Buck, its chairman of the board, president, and CEO at the time, had announced plans to retire from the company, and it appointed a committee to search for the company’s next CEO (whom ended up being Kirk Tanner, reported in July). That same month, Goo Goo Cluster announced its new president, and in March, Brazilian confectioner Docile revealed its first-ever president of the company. In April, Pladis (parent co. of Godiva, DeMet’s Turtles, and more) welcomed a new leader for its U.S. operations, Jeremy Faa, and in July, Vic Mehren exited Second Nature Brands (parent of caramel-maker Sanders), with CPG veteran Adam Butler taking the helm.

Tariffs still loomed large on confectioners’ minds last year, mostly near the beginning of 2025, and some had to get crafty with loopholes: Lindt & Sprungli considered cutting out America as a chocolate supplier to Canada to avoid the taxes. However, relief was on the horizon: in November, the U.S. president announced that several agricultural products would no longer be subject to the tariffs, including cocoa.

Several companies rebranded last year, including Godiva, which launched its new packaging identity ahead of its 100^th anniversary in November—the company was aiming to expand its global footprint, strengthen its premium positioning, and appeal to new audiences, it said.

Back in May, it was announced that Certs, first launched in 1956 and discontinued in 2018, would be returning to the confectionery market under a licensed partnership with its owners and CPG company Nature’s Stance. The relaunch was unveiled at last year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo.

“There’s something special about reviving a brand that people still remember decades later,” said Mark Freedman, owner of Certs. “We’re not just bringing it back—we’re building it to last.”

In March, Seattle Chocolate changed its name to Maeve, noting that its core mission of empowering women and supporting cocoa farmers would remain unchanged.

"Maeve isn't just a new name; it's a new energy. We're bringing excitement to chocolate in a way that feels fresh, imaginative, and fun," said Ellie Thompson, Maeve brand manager and daughter of Owner and CEO Jean Thompson. "We have always believed that a little treat can have a big impact, and with Maeve, we're making that impact bigger than ever."

Change and expansion is inevitable in the confectionery industry, of course: last year, many brands expanded their distribution, especially Swedish-style candy companies such as Goodis. Although most of these types of confectioners announced expansions to the U.S., the brand revealed in July that, after its American launch, it would be expanding to Europe. Co-founder Nemrud Kurt explained that the brand was motivated to enter the European market and “offer the best candy in the world in a seamless, digital way to even more people."

On the flip side, European producer Ritter Sport has been working to expand its lineup in the U.S. by with new, significant retail partnerships, including an expanded footprint and shelf presence—the brand’s chocolates can now be found at CVS, Albertsons, Raley’s, World Market, and Walmart. It also debuted two new formats, Minis and Choco Cubes, and acquired fellow chocolatier Chocolove in September.

In addition, marshmallow producer Mojave Mallows, producer of organic marshmallows, went through a retail expansion in May, and in July, Canadian chocolatier Purdy’s announced that, for the first time, its products would be available for purchase in stores. Plus, in November, franchiser Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory revealed commitments for 34 new locations.

Many producers doubled down on chocolate and confectionery last year by investing in their facilities. In May, Kraft Heinz (maker of Jet-Puffed) plunked down a cool $3 billion to increase efficiency at 30 of its plants. Back in April, Mondelēz noted that it was investing approximately $80 million in its Toblerone manufacturing facility in Switzerland; the brand was founded in the country in 1908, and 90% of its products are still made there today.

Producers also unveiled investments they had received: in June, globally inspired gummy brand Better Sour announced interest from a venture company, and in July, Canadian chocolatier Awake Chocolate nabbed a $5.8 million investment from two different venture houses.

Last year was also a year of innovation: supplier Blommer Chocolate Company expanded its lab capabilities and opened a new R&D center in Chicago, and its peer Barry Callebaut entered into an agreement with NotCo AI to explore implementing AI in chocolate recipe development. Plus, in August, Nestle developed a technique to incorporate up to 30% more cocoa fruit in the production of its products.

Speaking of cocoa, prices were still high for most of 2025, but manufacturers adapted, raising prices or pivoting to “chocolate-y” ingredients (aka not 100% chocolate, and cannot claim so on the label).

However, Americans will never give up their little treats: confectionery sales climbed to a record $55 billion in 2025, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) State of Treating report, and 99.8% of households purchased confectionery products at least once.

“Americans today are making their purchase decisions with greater intention, and chocolate and candy continue to earn their place in the basket," said John Downs, president and CEO, NCA. "The confectionery industry consistently delivers products that consumers know and love while introducing new innovations that shape how people choose to enjoy and share treats. No matter the occasion, confectionery brings people together."