White Chocolate Industry Report by Regional Category Spend, Price Analysis, Key Demand, Price Indicators, and Best Buying Practices

The global white chocolate market reached a value of about USD 18.27 billion in 2021. The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 1.5% in the forecast period of 2022-2027 to reach a value of USD 19.98 billion by 2027.

The global white chocolate industry report gives a comprehensive analysis of the industry including key segments, trends, drivers, restraints, the competitive landscape, and other essential market aspects.  The product is used in various products such as beverages- coffee, milkshakes, and smoothies; snack-foods- chips, popcorns, cookies, and cupcakes; and cosmetics –nail enamel, wax, and oil because of its unique taste and properties. Furthermore, it is being progressively applied for skincare, together with skin regeneration and hydration. Due to the growing usage of white chocolate, the market is anticipated to demonstrate substantial progress throughout the forecast period. The key demand indicator in the industry report is the highest category spender by region— Europe (Western Europe).

Industry Definition and Segmentation

White chocolate, a chocolate confectionery, is available in pale ivory colour as they tend to contain more percentage of cocoa butter, and this defines its quality too. It does not comprise of cocoa solids, which are used in other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate and dark chocolate. It is primarily made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk products, vanilla, and a fatty emulsifier called lecithin that keeps all the ingredients together. The main ingredient is the cocoa butter which gives a delicate flavour. Conventionally, white chocolate is not considered ‘chocolate’ in appropriate sense as it does not comprise of chocolate solids or chocolate powder, that gives chocolates a pungent, tannic, and berry-like taste. The white chocolate industry report comprises segments based on its distribution channels (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Non-Grocery Stores, Online/E-Retailing and others) and products (white chocolate bars, white chocolate bulk, and white chocolate truffles). Geographically, the industry report is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Europe (Western Europe) and North America Region is Driving the Growth of the Industry

Western Europe ruled the international white chocolate market in 2020 across the globe owing to the existence of prominent chocolate manufacturers in the region specifically in the United States. The development of the industry in these regions can also be linked to the vast customer base. The expanding usage of the white chocolate in the end-use industry such as confectionery, food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals are driving the growth of the market. Also, the manufacturing companies are focussing on expanding their product portfolio that supports the customer demand for healthy confectionery items. Owing to this factor, the health-conscious buyers have shown their interest towards white chocolates, since they are considered to be healthier option as compared to traditional chocolates.

Growing consciousness concerning the benefits of consuming white chocolates is resulting in the increasing approval, particularly in the advanced countries. It is predominantly used in the preparation of numerous food products and beverages such as cakes, tarts, cookies, cupcakes, popcorns, cold coffee, milkshakes, and smoothies. Furthermore, at times white chocolate is also used for making various confectionary products like frosting, icing, fondant, and modelling paste by adding a special oil-based colour to it. Today restaurant chefs are using it with savoury ingredients as well to improve the tastes of the dishes. Moreover, it also finds a number of applications as a vital ingredient in the cosmetic industry while producing wax, nail enamel, and oil. Hence, the extensive use of caramelised white chocolate in preparing desserts and other confectionery items and the focus of its producers to enhance the nutritional value and place white chocolate as a healthy alternative of snacking is expanding their customer base globally.

While the approval ratio of white chocolates is noteworthy, there is still a great deal of prospect for further dissemination of white chocolates in the chocolate business. Nevertheless, consumer inclination towards dark chocolates continues to be an important obstacle to market expansion.

Best Procurement Practices

The global white chocolate industry report by Procurement Resource gives an in-depth analysis of the best buying practices followed by major white chocolate producing and products utilising regions across the globe, such as engagement models, contract terms, and buyer and supplier negotiation levers, among others.

Category Management Studies

White chocolate is manufacture using sugar, cocoa butter, and milk products, and a fatty emulsifier called lecithin that assists in keeping all the ingredients together. Cocoa butter is the prominent component among the others that provides a delicate flavour to the chocolate. It is obtainable in white, ivory, or pale-yellow colours, and tastes distinct from dark chocolate. In addition, it is solid at room temperature 25 °C (77 °F) since the melting point of cocoa butter, the only cocoa bean element in the ingredients of white chocolate, is 35 °C (95 °F). The melting point is comparatively greater than the other types of chocolates, which supports it to be in the solid form at room temperature.

Application in the Cosmetic Industry is Expected to Further Drive the Procurement of White Chocolate

The rising usage of white chocolate in the making of cosmetic products, alongside the launching of product variations made with goat or non-dairy milk, is acting as a major trend in the market. White chocolate is widely used in the cosmetics sector, where it acts as a significant ingredient in the production of wax, nail enamel, and oil. Due to its inherent qualities and properties, white chocolate is used for skin generation and hydration cosmetic products. The tendency of using white chocolate in skin care products is specifically prominent in face care unit. Hence, because of its benefits in skin care, the cosmetic industry is integrating white chocolate in their line of products. Moreover, at present manufacturers are aiming on creating lucrative innovative production methods, paired with spending in research and development activities to widen their product portfolio.

The major regions in the industry are North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa, with Europe accounting for the largest share of the market.

Key Industry Players Mentioned in the White Chocolate Industry Report

• The Hershey Company
• Mondelez International
• Nestlé SA
• Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Mondelez International

Market Landscape

In 2020, the white chocolate bars segment witnessed the maximum sales. This division is primarily propelled by innovations of products and the introduction of new line of items by retailers. Likewise, other suppliers are presenting white chocolate bars which are completely made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk or consists of filling and flavouring components like, nuts, caramel, nougat, fondant, vanilla, orange, coffee, butterscotch, honey, and mint. The variety of such products available in the market is driving the development of the segment. Secondly, the supermarkets/hypermarkets based on the distribution channel, are reported to hold most of the market share, since they provide with discounted deals on a daily basis to consumers and aid to the one-stop shop experience to them. Moreover, there is a huge expansion of the market in the emerging regions like Africa as there is a rise of the hypermarkets and supermarkets that are selling premium varieties of chocolates. Additionally, the sellers are presenting new and innovative products, which in turn are helping to create more profits in the market.

Key Initiatives by Companies

• The prominent companies in the white chocolate market are aiming on creating cost-effective and new manufacturing methodologies, reduce production costs and infiltrating into new function areas to increase the output and improve the quality of the products.
• In August 2021, Cadbury introduced three new white chocolate savours namely, the White Chocolate Block, the White Buttons, and the White Chocolate Freddo Treasures in the United Kingdom.