Top 10 Chocolate Brands in the World 2024
Chocolate is a comfort food that everyone loves to eat be it dark, white or milk chocolate. Chocolate is a mood-enhancer for a lot of people and romance-inducer for some. The leading chocolate brands in the world create confectionary like chocolate bars, candies, wafers, chocolate drinks etc., which are extremely popular with kids as well as adults. These companies have a strong global distribution channel and are available via all leading retail outlets, mom & pop stores and also ecommerce platforms.
Top Chocolate Brands Ranking 2024 by Revenue:
The list of top chocolate brands in 2024 includes Mars (Snickers, Galaxy), Cadbury, Ferrero Rocher, Hersheys (Reese) followed by Nestle (KitKat), Meiji, Lindt etc. The leading chocolate brands comprise of confectionary companies which have a wide portfolio of chocolates. Here is the list of the top chocolate brands in the world in 2024.
Rank 1. Mars Inc (Snickers, Galaxy)
MARS is a British chocolate bar brand owned by MARS Inc., and was first manufactured in 1932, and is one of the leading chocolate brands worldwide.
Image: flickr-photos/torbenh/
Mars, which was modelled after American Milky Way chocolate, is a delicious fusion of rich ingredients such as honey, nougat and caramel covered in milk chocolate. MARS belongs to the company MARS Inc which in total features 29 brands, including 5 billion-dollar global brands such as M&M’S, SNICKERS, DOVE/GALAXY, MARS/MILKY WAY and TWIX and many other world-class brands such as 3 Musketeers, Bounty, Wrigley’s, Skittles, and Orbit etc.
The chocolates comes in various sizes - king-size double bar also known as Mars Duo (85 g); the regular size single bar (58 g); miniature bars (sold in multiple packs) called Snack Time (36.5 g) and Fun Size (19.7 g). Approximately Three million MARS bars a day are produced at the UK plant in Slough. The delicious taste along with its beautiful packing makes it one of the top chocolate brands in the world in 2024.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 50
2. Mondelez (Cadbury, Toblerone)
Cadbury is a UK confectionery business completely owned by Mondelez International (prior name: Kraft Foods), USA.
Image: flickr-photos/sudeep1106/
The headquarters of Cadbury is in Uxbridge, London and has its presence in more than 50 countries across the world, and is easily the biggest brand name in the world of chocolates. It was originally established in Birmingham, England in 1824 by John Cadbury who sold coffee, tea and drinking chocolate. Cadbury is famous for its Dairy Milk Chocolate which was introduced in 1905. Cadbury Dairy milk has more amount of milk within its recipe when compared with its competitor products. Cadbury Dairy-Milk was the best-selling product of company by 1914, and ever since it has gained its brand image among all age groups across all parts of the world. Mondelez has a wide range of products under its brand. Some of these are Toblerone, Oreo, Boost, Twirl, Time Out, Dairy Milk Silk, Dairy Milk Bliss, Easter Eggs, Cocoa Essence, Milk Chocolate and Fingers, Dairy Milk, Bournville, Fry's Turkish delight, Milk Tray, Flake, Crème Egg (launched as Fry's), Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut, Roses, Fudge, Picnic, Dairy Milk Buttons, Aztec, Curly Wurly, Snack, Double Decker, Starbar, Wispa etc.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 36
Rank 3. Ferrero Rocher (Nutella, Kinder)
Ferrero Rocher is one of the leading premium chocolate brands in the world.
Image: pixabay
Ferrero Rocher was introduced in 1982 and it consists of a roasted hazelnut enclosed in a thin wafer shell filled with hazelnut chocolate and covered in milk chocolate and ground hazelnut. The brand’s focus on quality, its beautiful packaging of golden wrapper and generous amounts of hazelnut has made Ferrero Rocher one of the most loved and appreciated chocolate all over the world. Some 24 million Ferrero Rocher chocolates are made daily. Almost 6000 inhabitants of Alba are employed in the 340,000 sq. mts plant but only 64 people work on the main Ferrero Rocher line at a single point of time, most of which are in quality control. The manufacturing process is a closely guarded secret and involves high-tech machinery to ensure quality. Ferrero Rocher is made by the Ferrero group, which is a world renowned Italian company and the third largest chocolate producer in the world. It makes famous chocolates and other confectionary like Raffaello, Mon Chéri, Nutella, Tic-Tac and Kinder.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 18
Rank 4. Hershey's (Reese)
Hershey Bars are manufactured by “The Hershey Company”, The Hershey Company, commonly known as Hershey’s, is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in North America.
Image: Wikimedia
Headquartered at Hershey, Pennsylvania it was founded in 1894 by Milton.S.Hershey as Hershey Chocolate Company. Hershey’s product assortment consists of Hershey’s Bars: Krackel, mr.Goodbar, Symphony, Hershey’s Milk chocolate with almond, and cookies’n’crème; Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s Syrup & Toppings, Hershey’s Snacks: Snack bites & Snack Mix; and Hershey’s Spreads. Hershey’s products are sold in over 70 countries, the company does 80% of its marketing in the North America which is a major revenue generator. Hershey’s has partnered with U.S Olympic Committee and is the official sponsor and the confectionery partner of Team USA. Hershey’s believe in making happiness accessible to all and this belief along with tremendous passion, perseverance, and vision, helped them grow the Hershey Company, so that millions could enjoy the delicious chocolates. Hershey’s being a pioneer has contributed a lot to the chocolate industry by innovating wide range of offerings to serve the taste buds of the customer. It has always strived for high quality, attention to detail, workmanship, and commitment to customer satisfaction which helped it to be the largest manufacturer in North America and it’s no wonder its one among the top 10 chocolate brands of the world in 2024.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 11
Rank 5. Nestle (Kit Kar, Milky Bar)
Nestle companies chocolate & confectionary brands like Kit Kar & Milky Bar are the leading chocolates in the world.
Image: company website
KitKat is a chocolate covered wafer biscuit confectionary created by Rowntree’s of York, England in the 1935 and was subsequently acquired by the Swiss FMCG giant Nestle. The license to sell in the United States is with The Hershey Company and it is marketed in the rest of the world by Nestle, and is one of the most popular brands. The standard bars consists of two or four fingers of three layers chocolate filled wafers and covered with a layer of chocolate with the bars are designed in such a way that they could be snapped into individual fingers. It was envisaged as a tea time snack and has been promoted over the years to perfectly depict this message. This is best signified by its tagline “the best companion to a cup of tea” in the 1930s to the most famous tagline “Have a Break... Have a KitKat”. Other chocolates by Nestle like Milky Bar are also extremely popular worldover.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 9
Rank 6. Meiji
Meiji is a well known Japanese chocolate brand which has become a global symbol of quality in the confectionery industry.
Image: Wikimedia
Started in the year 1916, the company has continually showcased its expertise in the segment through particular ingredient selection, high quality production techniques, and a great focus for creating chocolates. One of Meiji's hallmark attributes is its dedication to using high-quality cocoa, which not only enhances the flavor of its products but also promotes ethical practices within the industry. The brand is known for its diverse product range, which includes everything from rich chocolate bars and creamy milk chocolate to unique offerings like strawberry and matcha-flavored treats. The company's strategic marketing efforts and collaborations have boosted its international presence, making its products widely accessible in various markets around the world, thereby making it a top chocolate brand in 2024.
Rank 7. Lindt
The Chocolatiers from LINDT are real masters of their craft and are always striving to offer you a chocolate that gives a real treat to your palate.
Image: flickr-photos/mamchenkov/
LINDT chocolate bar comes from a company - Lindt & Sprüngli AG, commonly known as Lindt, a Swiss confectioner and chocolatier. It takes care of each and every ingredients to make its desserts one in a lifetime, by deeply combining milk and granulated ingredient with some typical fruity flavors. Since 1845 LINDT Chocolatiers have been creating the ultimate LINDT chocolate delights driven by their dedication, passion, and innovative spirit. Lindt has an assorted list of chocolates such as Lindor, Gold Bunny (Seasonal Confectionary), and creation range of chocolate-filled cubes: Dark Milk Mousse, Milk Mousse, Chocolate Mousse, White Milk Mousse, Orange Mousse and Cherry/Chili. The various flavors by Lindor are Extra Dark Chocolate, Dark peppermint, Hazelnut, Cinnamon, White chocolate, Stracciatella, Peanut Butter, Lemon, Strawberry and cream, Mint, Sea salt and Caramel etc. Lindt has also opened chocolate cafes and sells handmade chocolates, macaroons, cakes, and ice cream.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 6
Rank 8. Pladis (Godiva)
Pladis chocolate & confectionary company, based out of UK, was found in 2016.
Image: company website
The company is a subsidiary of Yıldız Holding, and has more than 15000+ employees. The brand has a strong global presence and reaches out to customers in over 100 countries. One of the most popular chocolates under the brand is Godiva, which was found in Belgium in 1926, and it one of the most popular premium chocolates in the world. Other important chocolates include names like Ülker, Flipz & Verkade Chocolate. The brand focuses on innovation and spends millions of dollars in introducing new flavors, new channels & global geographies.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 2.5
Rank 9. Ghirardelli
The Ghirardelli chocolate company was found in 1852 by Domenico Ghirardelli.
Image: Wikimedia
The founder then went to California after working in South America. The chocolate company was incorporated and has become one of the most prominent & legacy confectionary & chocolate brand in USA. Ghirardelli's main products, such as its velvety chocolate squares, are made using the best cocoa beans, ensuring a delicious taste experience which sets them apart from competitors. Ghirardelli continually adapts to changing market trends and consumer preferences, introducing innovative flavors. It has become one of the leading chocolate brands in the world in 2024.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 0.8
Rank 10. Glico (Pocky)
Glico is a prominent Japanese confectionery company renowned for its wide range of chocolate products and snacks.
Image: company website
Founded in 1922 by Ri-ichi Ezaki, Glico initially gained fame with its iconic Pocky snack—thin biscuit sticks coated in chocolate and various flavors. Over the years, Glico has built a diverse portfolio that includes chocolates, ice creams, and dairy products, establishing itself as a leader in the confectionery market. The company's unwavering commitment to quality and innovative flavors resonates with consumers, allowing it to create a lasting impact on the chocolate industry. The company has creative marketing strategies and memorable advertising campaigns, Glico has become synonymous with playful and enjoyable eating experiences. Glico's role as a leading chocolate company is marked not only by the delicious products it offers but also by the positive cultural and societal influences it engenders through its brand values and commitment to innovation.
Revenues (US$ Bn)= 0.4
Ranking Methodology for Best Chocolate Brands 2024:
Step 1: A list of Chocolate Brands was made.
Step 2: 20 brands among these were considered for analysis.
Step 3: Based on the sales data, ranking of the chocolate brands is done.
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