Explore the latest innovation in sugar and gum confectionery in 2025 with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across regions EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Key innovation trends in the 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.
This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global sugar and gum confectionery market. Understanding innovation in confectionery has never been so easy.
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst at Mintel. Mikolaj has 8 years experience working at Mintel and is responsible for analysing new product launches in food, drink and household categories, tying these back to consumer insights, and identifying emerging NPD trends.
Sugar confectionery brands are responding to consumer interest in flavourful and more natural and clean label options.
Mikolaj Kaczorowski
Innovation Analyst
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- The Future of Sugar & Gum Confectionery: 2025
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: plant-based gum launches are tapping into consumer demand for more natural options
- Gum consumers are interested in more natural offerings
- Plant-based claims rebound in gum launches, but remain niche
- Graph 1: gum launches, by share of plant-based claim, 2020-24
- Gum brands are highlighting plant-based recipes
- Europe: sugar confectionery brands drum up excitement with flavour innovation
- Consumers are keen to see new flavours from confectionery brands
- Fruit flavours dominate sugar confectionery launches
- Graph 2: sugar confectionery launches, by top five flavour component subgroups, 2020-24
- Sugar confectionery brands look to attract consumers with innovative flavour launches
- Brand renovation/innovation: Bilou launches Wednesday themed chewing gum
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Sugar confectionery brands tempt consumer with more intense flavour experiences
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: brands call out low-sugar content to reassure health-conscious consumers
- Sugar is increasingly in the spotlight
- Sugar-free claims are declining in sugar confectionery
- Graph 3: sugar confectionery launches, by share of sugar-free claim, 2020-24
- Sugar confectionery brands highlight sugar-free recipes
- Asia: sugar confectionery brands focus on engaging the senses
- Sensorial indulgences drive confectionery consumption
- Textures are a growing focus of sugar confectionery and gum messaging
- Graph 4: sugar confectionery and gum launches, by share with one or more textures, 2020-24
- Brands use flavour and texture to stimulate the senses
- Australia & New Zealand (ANZ)
- Sugar confectionery brands innovate with appealing flavours and textures
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: brands continue to target seasonal celebrations
- Sugar confectionery plays an important part in celebrations
- Seasonal candy and gum launches see an uptick in launches
- Graph 5: sugar confectionery and gum launches, by share of the seasonal claim, 2020-24
- Brands tap into consumer demand for seasonal sugar confectionery
- North America: sugar confectionery brands are reducing their use of additives and preservatives
- Sugar confectionery consumers are looking for more natural options
- The no additive/preservative claim returns to growth in sugar confectionery launches
- Graph 6: sugar confectionery launches, by share of no additives/preservatives claim, 2020-24
- Sugar confectionery brands highlight additive- and preservative- free recipes
- Latin America
- Sugar confectionery brands are increasingly listing their social media presence on pack
- Graph 7: sugar confectionery and gum launches, by share of social media claim, 2020-24
- Sugar confectionery product feature social media links
What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?
To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.
How We Analyse a Year of Innovation
By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.
A Deep Dive into Product Launches
The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.
Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)
Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.
Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts
Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.
For a more detailed look at a Year of Innovation report, take a look at a sample PDF report below.
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables have been redacted.
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