The Brazil chocolate confectionery market is going from strength to strength, fuelled by rising prosperity, particularly among the emerging “new middle class.” The value of the market has soared by 69% between 2008 and 2013 to reach an estimated R$9,231 million. While inflation has played an important role, underlying volume sales have grown by a solid 16% over the period to 242 million kg.

The young generation – particularly women – are the core users of chocolate, and are driving the market’s growth, with female 16-24s most likely to be eating more chocolate than a year ago (55%). Meanwhile, the growing numbers of over-55s present a challenge given that these consumers are the least frequent users, reflecting their greater focus on healthy eating.

Brazil’s growing obesity problem also threatens the market’s long-term growth. Government initiatives to tackle this issue pose a threat also to chocolate going forward, with manufacturers likely to face growing pressure to be seen to do their part.

Definition

This report examines the Brazil retail market for chocolate confectionery. The market size includes sales through all retail channels including direct to consumer. Mintel defines the market as comprising packaged chocolate confectionery products, including the following segments:

Segment Description
Block Chocolate Also referred to as tablet chocolate. Moulded blocks of chocolate that are broken into chunks to eat and are generally regarded as indulgence items.
Chocolate Straight Lines Also referred to as nonindividually wrapped pieces. Bite-size chocolate products which are sold in a sharing bag or pouch.
Chocolate-filled Bars Also referred to as countlines. Chocolate bars that are eaten whole (as opposed to being broken into chunks), often contain a filling.
Chocolate Confectionery Variety Packs Packs containing assorted chocolate items/brands. Also referred to as individually wrapped pieces.
Seasonal Chocolate This includes products which are available only at certain times of year such as Easter eggs, Christmas-themed products.

Does not include:

  • Unwrapped chocolate

  • Biscuits including chocolate countlines sold in multipacks (eg KitKat) cakes and cake bars including wafers, marshmallows, and alfajores, which are defined as bakery products

  • Cocoa powder and chocolate drinks

Abbreviations

FIFA Fédération Internationale de Football Association
GDP Gross domestic product
GNPD Global New Product Database
IBGE Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
L/N/R Low/no/reduced
NPD New product development
POS Point of sale
WHO World Health Organization
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