Premium chocolate represents a fast-growing and dynamic market in many parts of the world, with global sales having risen by over 18% within the last year. Sales and consumer awareness are both growing for a variety of reasons – these include wider availability of premium chocolate at the retail level and high levels of new product activity. Additionally, more consumers are becoming attracted to dark chocolate on account of its health benefits, while ethical concerns have increased demand for organic and Fairtrade chocolate, all of which tend to be positioned at the premium end of the market.

This is a brand new title from just-food, which focuses on the premium segment, which is attracting much interest from many of the large global players.

The report contains a wealth of market data including historic premium chocolate market values by country, financial stats for the major brands and market forecast trends for all major markets out to 2011.

Chapter 1 Introduction
For the purposes of this report, premium chocolate is generally defined as different from mainstream offerings on account of factors such as craftsmanship, price, ingredients, cocoa origin and marketing/promotion (including the type of packaging used). Regarding price, a number of different sub-categories are emerging as the overall premium chocolate market develops – for example, what might be termed as ‘everyday gourmet’ chocolate is typically lower in price than products classed as ‘super-premium’, which are much less affordable and represent a much less frequent purchase as a result.

Chapter 2 Global market overview
The global market for premium chocolate was worth an estimated US$6.95bn in 2007. Since 2002, the market has expanded by over 65%, with annual growth for 2007 alone pegged at more than 18%. Much of the recent growth in the market has resulted from the entrance of many of the world’s leading chocolate suppliers, as a result of which levels of new product development have been high. For example, up to 1,500 new products have now been launched in the sector since 2002, with more manufacturers striving to develop a strong portfolio of premium chocolate ranges.

This chapter reviews the main markets with analysis of the latest market trends, segments and provides historic market values and % share statistics.

Chapter 3 Current trends
A number of major trends are driving the premium chocolate market at present. Although many are inter-linked, a number of major factors have been identified, as follows:

• premium versus mainstream;
• provenance;
• raw materials;
• health/wellness; and
• the impact of own-label/branding.

The chapter reviews each major trend in turn.

Chapter 4 Consumer dynamics
This chapter reviews the latest key consumer trends within each major region, covering single-origin, ethical chocolate and milk versus dark.

Chapter 5 Industry supply
Here, all major premium chocolate suppliers such as Mars, Nestlé, Cadbury and Hershey are analysed. Plus notable recent company activity such as the acquisition of Belgian firm Guylian in June 2008 by Lotte are analysed.

Chapter 6 New product activity
This chapter provides an analysis of how recent new product activity illustrates how confectionery manufacturers have been driving growth within the premium chocolate market. Innovations such as single-origin, dark, premium range launches and even chilli flavours are discussed.

Chapter 7 The future
The global premium chocolate market is forecast to reach a value of US$12.9bn by 2011. This represents an increase of more than 85% in value terms compared with present levels, and provides an indication that the market in many parts of the world has only just started to develop towards its potential. This forecast is supported by the opinions of Nestlé, which claims the global market for premium and luxury chocolate may reach even higher at US$14bn within the next decade.

Here, we present 2007-2011 market value forecasts for the world, US and European markets.

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Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Global market overview
Global market
Europe
The UK
Germany
France
Switzerland
Others
North America
Rest of the world

Chapter 3 Current trends
Premium versus mainstream
Provenance
Raw materials
Health/wellness
Impact of own-label/branding

Chapter 4 Consumer dynamics
Overall consumption patterns
Single-origin
Ethical chocolate
Dark chocolate

Chapter 5 Industry supply
Mars/Seeds of Change
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Nestlé
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Cadbury/Green & Black.s
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Hershey
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Barry Callebaut
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Kraft Foods
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Lindt & Sprungli
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Lotte
Background
Market share
Current developments
Financial information
Others
Ferrero
.lker/Godiva
Russell Stover Candies
August Storck
Chocolat Frey
Divine Chocolate
Butlers Chocolates

Chapter 6 New product activity
Single-origin
Dark chocolate
Others

Chapter 7 The future
Market size and trends
Corporate developments

List of tables
Table 1: Currency conversion rates for 2007
Table 2: Global premium chocolate market, 2002-2007 (US$bn and %)
Table 3: Global premium chocolate market by region, 2007 (US$bn and %)
Table 4: European premium chocolate market, 2002-2007 (US$bn and %)
Table 5: European premium chocolate market by country, 2007 (US$m and %)
Table 6: UK Fairtrade chocolate/cocoa market, 2002-2007 (GBPm and %)
Table 7: US retail chocolate market, 2002-2007 (US$bn and %)
Table 8: US premium/gourmet chocolate market, 2002-2007
Table 9: Global cocoa production and grindings by volume, 2004/2005-2006/2007 („000 tonnes)
Table 10: Mars financial results, 2003-2007 (US$m)
Table 11: Nestlé financial results, 2003-2007 (CHFm)
Table 12: Cadbury financial results, 2003-2007 (GBPm)
Table 13: Hershey financial results, 2003-2007 (US$m)
Table 14: Barry Callebaut financial results, 2003-2007 (CHFm)
Table 15: Kraft Foods Financial results, 2003-2007 (US$m)
Table 16: Lindt & Sprüngli financial results, 2003-2007 (CHFm)
Table 17: Dark extensions of popular confectionery brands
Table 18: New premium chocolate brands/extensions
Table 19: Global premium chocolate market forecasts, 2007-2011 (US$bn and %)
Table 20: European premium chocolate market forecasts, 2007-2011 (US$bn and %)
Table 21: US premium/gourmet chocolate market forecasts, 2007-2011 (US$bn and %)