OUR INDUSTRY
2021 State of Treating Report
No other consumer products enjoy the universal appeal of chocolate and candy. NCA’s Sweet Insights: State of Treating 2021 report seamlessly blends confectionery market performance and merchandising trends with shopper insights and includes a comprehensive review of seasonal and everyday confectionery performance, including channel outlooks, category drivers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.


DID YOU
KNOW?
72%
of Americans say chocolate and candy are an important part of their emotional well-being.
99%
of American households buy chocolate or candy at least once a year.
78%
of Americans believe that sharing seasonal chocolate & candy is a great American tradition.
Seasonal Insights
Access the latest insights around the confectionery industry’s “Big Four” seasons – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – as well as new seasonal candy moments, like National Candy Month.
Everyday Insights
Follow the confectionery industry’s latest successes and opportunities thanks to monthly sales recaps that capture the latest trends and track the industry’s routine performance.
Industry News
Ethel M Offers Virtual Tasting Experience For Mother’s Day
Henderson, NV — This Mother’s Day, Mars, Inc.’s Ethel M Chocolates is offering a premium virtual chocolate tasting experience for two as a gift for moms. The program includes a 12-piece custom collection that features six of Ethel M Chocolates’…
Hershey Signs Two Clean Energy Partnerships
Hershey, PA — The Hershey Co. has entered into two clean energy partnerships to develop solar projects in the U.S. as part of its plan to move its operations toward the use of clean and renewable energy. For the first…
Standard Candy Plans $2M Transformation Of Its Nashville Goo Goo Cluster Store
Nashville, TN — Standard Candy Co. is beginning renovations at its downtown Nashville location for a new Goo Goo Chocolate Co. experiential store. The company, which has produced the iconic Southern candy brand for more than 100 years, says the…
Our Story

Manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints directly employ nearly 54,000 people across the United States with more than 600,000 jobs supported in related industries, including agriculture, retail, transportation and more. Altogether, the confectionery industry contributes over $44 billion to the U.S. economy each year and has at least one manufacturing facility in each of the fifty U.S. states.

America’s leading chocolate and candy companies have committed to providing consumers with information, options and support as they enjoy their favorite treats, pledging half of their individually wrapped products will be available in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per pack and 90 percent will feature calorie information on the front of the pack by 2022.

Chocolate, candy, gum and mints fill a special role in our lives and in American holidays and celebrations. When enjoyed as part of a happy, balanced diet, these treats can bring people closer together, bring back fond memories and contribute to one’s emotional well-being.
Candy Moments
Special candy moments like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays bring people closer together and help them connect through the sharing and gifting of candy, chocolate, gum and mints. Dive into how we’re celebrating each of these special seasonal occasions and join us by participating in the festivities.

Meet Our Industry
The confectionery industry is made up of a variety of companies that create thousands of Americans’ favorite confectionery products. Meet some of the people behind the confectionery industry and the companies that make the chocolate, candy, gum and mints millions of people across the globe enjoy every day.
Contact the Industry Affairs Team
Larry Wilson
Vice President of Industry Affairs
Lynn Wylie
Senior Director of Industry Affairs