CHICAGO--Just-released sales figures show one food item that looks to be recession-proof: chocolate, according to Mintel. China leads the way with an 18% rise in chocolate confectionery sales, followed by the Ukraine with a 12% increase. The United States and the United Kingdom posted most modest growth at 2.6% and 5.8%, respectively. U.S. citizens spend a yearly average of $55 per capita on chocolates, but that doesn’t even come close to the chocolate purchasing of the Swiss, who buy the equivalent of $206 per person per year.
“It’s clear that, despite economic trouble this year, the world’s chocolate lovers didn’t deviate from their favorite treat. Chocolate is a small, affordable indulgence for shoppers who are cutting back on spending elsewhere. Even in countries not known for chocolate consumption, sales are on the rise,” says Marcia Mogelonsky, global food and drink analyst, Mintel.
New product development continues in the chocolate segment, with Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD) reporting that manufacturers launched nearly the same number of products in 2009 as in 2008. Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa have seen more new chocolate products than last year.
