PREMIUMISATION T of
he premium confectionery sector – chocolate in particular – is experiencing healthy growth, according to a variety industry reports. The Premium
Chocolate Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence, for example, has predicted that this sector will grow from $39.56 billion in 2025 to $41.63b in 2026 and is forecast to reach $53.74b by 2031. This growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand for high-quality, artisanal, and ethically sourced chocolate products. The influence of gifting culture has also contributed to the market’s buoyancy. Mordor also identified that the premium chocolate market is witnessing innovation in flavours, packaging, and sustainable sourcing practices, which are attracting a broader consumer base. imarc reports that the European
premium chocolate market is growing rapidly due to rising consumer awareness of the health benefits associated with high-quality, dark, and organic chocolates. Consumers are shifting toward healthier snacking options, favouring chocolates with higher cocoa content, reduced sugar, and natural ingredients. The premium chocolate market is
further bolstered, according to imarc, by the popularity of functional chocolates enriched with superfoods, nuts, and seeds. In November 2024, for example, when Lindt launched its Dubai chocolate in Europe, blending chocolate, pistachio cream, and knafeh, it sparked queues and social media hype, with limited-edition bars priced at €14.99 selling rapidly. Fortune Business insights reports that
the premium confectionery market has also experienced growth, with increases in demand for premium products being steady in developed regions. Meanwhile, developing regions have experienced a growth in demand for premium product ranges, owing to the increasing Western influence, rising disposable income, rapid growth in international trade, and increased geographical expansion by major players. Fortune says that growth in the global confectionery market can be attributed to the increasing consumption of premium products, which are often found to outperform the overall category.
A key driver Packaging is a key element for consideration when it comes to confectionery premiumisation. Today, material choices signal far more than
Recyclable mono-material films and paper-based alternatives allow brands to achieve a premium aesthetic without compromising sustainability goals.
TODAY, MATERIAL CHOICES SIGNAL FAR MORE THAN BASIC FUNCTIONALITY – INFLUENCING HOW
CONSUMERS INTERPRET QUALITY
measurable reduction in CO emissions, when compared with conventionally sourced aluminium. At the same time, mono-material structures in PE, PP, or coated paper, allows brands to increase compatibility with existing recycling systems without compromising barrier performance.” The technical demands placed on
basic functionality – influencing how consumers interpret quality. According to Grazyna Polak, VP Sustainability Film, Head of Strategic Market Product Management Confectionery, Snacks, Dairy at Constantia Flexibles, materials such as aluminium, high- barrier laminates and coated papers can help brands create a moment of anticipation that is important in premium confectionery. “Aluminium maintains a strong association with premium chocolate thanks to its characteristics and its reliable protection against light, moisture, and oxygen,” he says. “With options such as Constantia Flexibles’ Low Carbon Aluminium, brands are able to retain these well-established sensory and protective properties while making a
confectionery packaging remain high – chocolate and sugar-based products need stable protection to prevent bloom, flavour changes, aroma loss, or moisture uptake. Meanwhile, fats and oils can migrate, so packaging needs to be able to deliver strong seal integrity and resist contamination, which requires precise calibration of seal initiation temperature, hot tack, and overall sealing performance. Adding further to this complexity,
confectionery is typically packed on high- speed flow-wrap lines running hundreds of packs per minute, meaning materials also need to offer stable coefficients of friction, tear resistance, and stiffness while supporting cold-seal applications for heat-sensitive items and ensuring accurate registration to minimise waste. “Our approach begins with Design for
Recycling and focuses on engineering solutions that maintain full functionality,” continues Grazyna. “We replace complex multi-material laminates with carefully optimised mono-material structures that deliver the necessary barriers through metallisation or ultra-thin coatings while preserving stiffness, seal integrity, and machinability on high-speed lines.”
MARCH 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 33
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