IRI confectionery monitor: Corona crisis as an engine for growth

The effects of the Corona pandemic have undoubtedly played a major role in the revenue increase of 9.3% up to € 7.176 bn, accompanied by a 7.5% increase in sales volume of 957,867 tonnes (basis: food retailers + drug stores + hard discounters + gas station shops).

Salty snacks delivered an outstanding performance, with € 1.979 bn signifying revenue growth of 15.2% (sales volume: 239,719 t; + 11.5%). Chocolate products (without season), the largest product group, increased its sales in the first half of 2020 by 7.4% up to € 2.870 bn and its sales quantity by 6.5% up to 285,761 tonnes. Sweet baked goods and cake suppliers also profited heavily from this unprecedented exceptional situation, with revenues climbing by 10.4% up to € 1.303 bn (sales volume: 241,576 t; + 8.5%). Comparatively, the growth rates for the sugar confectionery category were lower, with revenues of € 1.025 bn (+ 2.6%) and sales volume of 190,811 tonnes (+ 2.8%). The chewing gum segment suffered sensitive losses with a revenue decline of 12.4% down to € 217.5 m (sales volume: 146.5 m pieces; - 14.8%).