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Our Sweet Economic Impact
For 250 years, the confectionery industry has been a stable force in the American economy. We create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs manufacturing chocolate, candy, gum, and mints. Plus, our industry supports many additional jobs in agriculture, transportation, retail, and other sectors. Wages earned and taxes paid in the supply chain benefit communities across the United States, generating additional jobs and strengthening local economies nationwide.
Jobs in the U.S.
696,588 TOTAL JOBS
203,248
direct jobs
21,880
wholesale/ broker
jobs
57,602
manufacturing
jobs
123,766
retail
jobs
+
493,310
indirect jobs
268,975
supplier
jobs
224,335
induced
jobs
Direct Economic Impact in the U.S.
$49B
economic output
$10.5B
wages
$13.7B
federal, state, & local taxes*
National Multiplier Effect
1
U.S. confectionery manufacturing job
supports
11
other jobs in the U.S. economy
National Impact
$55B
in confectionery retail sales1
1,613
manufacturing facilities
throughout all 50 states
$2.3B
in manufacturing exports2
America’s Confectionery Industry
For even more behind-the-scenes glimpses into your favorite confectionery brands, watch our award-winning video series, The Sweet Life.
Manufacturers
At the core of the confectionery industry, candymakers are hard at work in every U.S. state. Manufacturing chocolate, candy, gum, and mints is an art as well as a science. Peek inside two of more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities in the United States.
Suppliers
Category innovation often starts with supplier partners who make the equipment, ingredients, packaging, and other services vital to our robust category. Visit two of the hundreds of suppliers who make our industry special and unique.
Sales & Distribution
A strong network is necessary to take confectionery products on the final leg of the journey – into the hands of our consumers. Broker sales agents, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers complete the confectionery ecosystem. Learn more about the value of partnership.
Power of Sweet in the States
Power of Sweet in the States
Learn more about how confectionery manufacturing is supporting the economy in your state.
Click on a state or select below
Primary Source: John Dunham & Associates 2021, New York, NY
1 Euromonitor International, 2025
2 Trade Data Monitor, 2024
*Figure includes business taxes paid in direct, supplier, and induced industries.
