A Year of Innovation in Sugar and Gum Confectionery 2026
"Brands are reinventing confectionery through seasonal excitement, functional and free-from formulations, and bolder flavours and textures."
Anis Pauzi, Associate Analyst (Innovation)
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- Global spotlight: chewy formats take the lead in category innovation
- Graph 1: sugar and gum confectionery launches, by sub-categories, 2025-26
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: seasonal confectionery innovation surges
- Consumers crave novelty and themed treats
- Brands go big on seasonal as variety packs drive the boom
- Graph 2: sugar and gum confectionery launches with seasonal and/or limited edition claims, 2021-26
- Seasonal launches fuel Halloween sweet spend
- Europe: brands diversify flavours to broaden appeal
- Consumers seek balance through contrasting flavours
- Flavour innovation shifts toward berry fruit and sour
- Graph 3: sugar and gum confectionery launches, by select flavour component subgroups, 2021-26
- Sour flavours step in as sweetness evolves
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Bold launches fuel flavour exploration
- Brand renovation/innovation: Pimp My Party launches adult flavours
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: brands drive innovation in functional confectionery
- Consumers turn to candy for wellness
- Asia leads global uptake of functional claims
- Graph 4: sugar and gum confectionery launches with functional claims, by region, 2025-26
- Brands across Asia reinvent sweets with functional benefits
- Asia: brands expand launches with softer texture
- Texture turns sweets into an emotional indulgence
- Brands turn their attention to softer candies
- Graph 5: sugar and gum confectionery launches, by textures, 2021-26
- Brands use texture to elevate experience
- Australia & New Zealand
- Better-for-you innovation takes centre-stage
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: private-label confectionery continues to rise
- Consumers choose private label for affordable indulgence
- Private label drives confectionery launch activity
- Graph 6: sugar and gum confectionery launches, by share of private label, 2021-26
- Private label innovates through format, flavour and seasonality
- North America: freeze-dried confectionery sees a rise in launch share
- Freeze-dried candy sparks a new texture trend
- Freeze-dried claims gain momentum in texture-led innovation
- Graph 7: sugar confectionery launches with a 'freeze-dried' descriptor*, 2023-26
- Freeze-dried formats drive innovation
- Latin America
- Latin American confectionery embraces chili flavours
- Sweet and spicy duo
Explore the latest innovations in sugar and gum confectionery with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product developments over the past 12 months.
Key innovation trends in the global confectionery market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.
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