BRUSSELS – The global confectionery industry convened yesterday for the highly anticipated 2025 World Confectionery Conference, held at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, Brussels Grand Place. The event brought together a diverse array of international companies, experts, and innovators from regions including Europe, Colombia, and South Africa to discuss the evolving landscape of sweets and snacks. This year’s conference served as an exclusive platform to reveal key industry happenings, explore forward-thinking trends, and celebrate significant achievements.
Emerging Trends Shaping the Confectionery Market
A central theme of the conference was the identification and analysis of burgeoning trends set to define the confectionery market. Honorata Jarocka, Associate Director at Mintel, provided a comprehensive overview of significant product developments. She highlighted the emergence of ‘beauty chocolate,’ a novel concept that taps into the wellness sector, and the rise of ‘angel hair’ confectionery, a potentially disruptive innovation. Furthermore, Jarocka emphasized a strong consumer demand for enhanced nutrition, focusing on products rich in protein and those that align with ‘better-for-you’ attributes, signaling a significant shift in consumer preferences towards healthier indulgence. Tristan Hover from Euromonitor International complemented these insights with a detailed breakdown of current confectionery market performance across Europe, noting particular prominence in innovations involving creative inclusions, functional ingredients, and protein-packed bars and snacks, all driven by sustained interest in health and wellness. These discussions underscored a dynamic market increasingly prioritizing conscious consumption.
Nutritional Innovation and Corporate Responsibility
Key industry players also shared their strategic approaches to product development and corporate responsibility. Sebastiano Collino, Global Head of Nutrition at Ferrero, delivered a keynote presentation detailing the company’s comprehensive nutritional framework. He explained Ferrero’s methodology for evaluating its product portfolio and guiding innovation, with a clear focus on integrating ‘better-for-you’ brands and product attributes to align with evolving consumer health expectations. Meanwhile, Julia Ocampo, Sustainability Specialist from Luker Chocolate, offered an inspiring look at the company’s impactful work with smallholder farmers in Colombia, showcasing how ethical sourcing and community support are integral to their operations. These presentations underscored a growing industry commitment to both nutritional science and sustainable practices.
Awards Recognize Excellence and Innovation
The conference also celebrated outstanding contributions through the World Confectionery Awards. Fudge Kitchen, a UK-based confectioner, was a notable recipient, securing the Team of the Year award for its collaborative spirit and was also highly commended for its innovative 2025 fudge range. The Emerging Enterprise of the Year accolade went to Wild Thingz, a UK company founded by former Mondelez marketeer Fliss Newland, recognized for its successful line of reduced-sugar gummies. Other significant awards included Finished Product of the Year for Prestat Chocolates’ new version of Dubai Chocolate, Sustainability Initiative of the Year to Cordillera Chocolates for their program supporting women cocoa farmers, Equipment Innovation of the Year for Schubert packaging machinery’s advanced cobot systems, and Ingredients of the Year to Alland & Robert for their advanced gelling solution tailored for the vegan gummy market. These awards highlight the diverse areas of innovation thriving within the sector.
Addressing Sector-Wide Challenges
The agenda also addressed critical challenges facing the confectionery industry. A robust Q&A session, featuring industry leaders such as Francesco Tramontin of Ferrero and representatives from Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, delved into pressing issues including the current cocoa supply chain crisis, the impact of climate change, geopolitical instability, and the upcoming EUDR regulations. The role of emerging technologies like AI in navigating these complexities and fostering collaborative action for supply chain stability was also a key point of discussion. Experts agreed that urgent collaborative action and strategic investments are essential to ensure the resilience and future prosperity of key supply chains, particularly in the cocoa industry.
A Glimpse into the Future of Confectionery
As the 2025 World Confectionery Conference concluded, it left attendees with a clear vision of the industry’s trajectory. The convergence of innovation in product development, a heightened focus on health and nutrition, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability painted a picture of a dynamic and forward-looking sector. The exclusive insights shared and the awards presented celebrated the pioneers driving the confectionery world toward a more conscious, nutritious, and innovative future, marking this event as a pivotal moment for industry professionals.
