Special focus: Italy’s confectionery sector has its prime place in the sun
Italy’s confectionery market is embracing innovation without losing its roots, with major investments, bold product launches and global expansion driving fresh momentum across the sector. Daisy Phillipson reports
Embodying the spirit of La Dolce Vita, Italy’s deep-rooted love affair with confectionery continues to evolve, balancing heritage with innovation. According to Statista, revenue in the Italian confectionery sector amounts to $15.06 billion in 2025, with modest yet steady annual growth of 3.32 per cent expected through to 2030.
While this growth rate trails behind some global counterparts – partly due to increasing health consciousness and sugar reduction efforts – it remains driven by enduring demand for indulgent treats, rising disposable income and the increasing convenience of online shopping Despite ongoing economic pressures, including inflation and fluctuating commodity prices, major players are doubling down on their commitment to the Italian market. The Ferrero Group, a titan of the industry, reported an impressive turnover of €18.4 billion for its 2023/24 financial year – up 8.9 per cent from the previous period.
Other companies are also strengthening their foothold.
Belgian-headquartered Vandemoortele has made notable moves by acquiring Italian frozen bakery producer, Lizzi. This follows its earlier acquisition of Dolciaria Acquaviva in June 2024.
Lizzi’s four production facilities and portfolio of popular products support Vandemoortele’s presence in Italy’s bustling market. As one of Italy’s leading confectionery brands, Perfetti Van Melle continues to invest in its overseas operations. A £2 million investment into its Mentos and Smint brands included UK campaigns to promote recent launches such as Mentos Discovery, duo packs and pouch bags.
Smint, meanwhile, enjoyed an outdoor marketing campaign while expanding its
reach via TikTok and Instagram. In the US, Perfetti has launched a new Airheads Xtremes flavour – Very Berry– following a successful trial in a major
convenience chain. With multiple pack formats rolling out across 2025, the
product reinforces the group’s commitment to global brand building and
responsive flavour innovation.
Italian premium chocolate maker ICAM is also looking to the future with
confidence. In March 2025, it announced a €56 million expansion at its Orsenigo production facility, backed by a pool of credit institutions led by Intesa Sanpaolo.
The project includes four new moulding and packaging lines, a white chocolate
production unit, in addition to an innovation centre.
“This investment allows us to tackle market challenges with a state-of-the-art
production structure while maintaining our commitment to quality and
sustainability,” said president Giovanni Agostoni. With 2024 revenues surpassing €300 million, ICAM’s growth reflects the sector’s enduring appetite for high quality, ethically-produced chocolate.
A wave of high quality
Alongside investment, Italian confectioners are upping their innovation game. Ferrero’s Tic Tac brand is venturing into bold new territory with Tic Tac Two, a sugar-free, dual-flavour range designed to cater to the modern palate. The three flavours on offer include raspberry and lemon, strawberry and lime, and fresh and mild spearmint.
In frozen confectionery, Italian plant-based brand Valsoia has launched three new oat-based gelato varieties in multiple European countries, including pistachio, stracciatella and lemon cake, as well as rice- and coconut-based no-added sugar fruit cups.
These vegan, lactose-free treats reflect Italy’s growing demand for plant-based indulgence that doesn’t compromise on texture or flavour. Heritage brands within the region are also leaning into novelty and nostalgia. Pastiglie Leone recently unveiled cocktailinspired, vegan gummy bears, which come in three flavours: spritz, mojito and Bellini.
Elsewhere, Elah Dufour Novi launched a series of new products this year under its various brands. Novi’s Specialità Novi line saw the addition of milk and dark chocolate almond bars, while its Nero Nero range was expanded with a salted caramel bar and dark chocolate napolitains.
Dufour also launched Selz Spritz, a new type of filled hard candy inspired by the classic Italian aperitif. These varied offerings not only demonstrate the sector’s creativity but also reinforce Italy’s position as a trendsetter in global confectionery.
One of Italy’s most beloved confectionery brands, Loacker, marked its 100th anniversary in 2025 with both celebration and commitment.
This included officially registering as a benefit corporation, cementing its mission to balance economic success with social and environmental responsibility.
“Our mission does not end with the products we offer, but extends to the responsibility we have towards people and the environment,” CEO Ulrich Zuenelli explained during the announcement. As part of this transformation, Loacker will publish an annual impact report and has set its sights on full B Corp certification by 2027. In line with these goals, the company is investing in a new technological research and development centre.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, the facility will host everything from lab-scale innovation to semi-industrial testing, while combining technological progress with sustainable practices. The country’s role as a confectionery trendsetter was reinforced at SIGEP World 2025 in Rimini, where sustainability, innovation and technology took centre stage.
Just one example came from Belgian-headquartered Puratos, which showcased its carbon-neutral Chocolanté 60Days, part of the Cacao-Trace programme. Now available in Italy, it cuts production time from up to two years to just 60 days.
Despite mounting economic and regulatory headwinds, Italy’s confectionery sector remains remarkably adaptive. While the pace of growth may vary, the commitment to quality and transformation is unmistakable, and it’s this fusion of tradition and forward-thinking strategy that will shape the future of confectionery in the region.
