Mayku research reveals booming British artisan confectionery sector
UK-wide research from desktop factory Mayku has revealed an increase in artisan chocolate making during coronavirus pandemic quarantine conditions, in a British market Mondelēz International has put at over £5.3 billion.
The lockdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on life in the UK. With millions of Brits being confined to their homes and many suffering job losses or being placed on furlough, the pandemic has severely impacted the economy and the livelihoods of people across the country.
However, national research commissioned by the desktop factory Mayku has for the first time examined the effect of Covid-19 on the confectionery industry and has discovered that the hiatus has actually proved to show a rise in the artisanal arts of chocolate-making. Despite the considerable economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the confectionery market has reportedly shown signs of sustained and continued growth.
As Confectionery Production has previously covered, the artisan sector is thriving within the UK, as witnessed by the Academy of Chocolate, with its annual awards recently receiving record number of entries across its annual awards categories.
According to Mayku’s research the time spent in lockdown has inspired a considerable portion of the population to discover or develop their artisanal and creative passions. Thousands of chocolate and confectionery hobbyists have developed their skills during COVID-19, with a 15% of hobbyists now making their own treats, rather than buying mass-produced alternatives.
It’s not only at-home manufacturing that is flourishing – 12% of hobbyists have reported that the time away from work due to Coronavirus has inspired them to set up their own businesses in the chocolate and confectionery sector. With 4% of Brits (1,092,000) reporting that they would be happy to invest £2000 in chocolate and confectionery companies, the sector is expected to continue to grow- the global confectionery market is predicted to reach an astonishing value of £183 billion by 2022.
Key Stats:
· 16% of people who have a hobby in chocolate and confectionery would like to turn it into a business
· 15% of Brits dislike mass-produced chocolate and confectionery and are now creating their own
· 12% of hobbyists have been motivated to create a business in chocolate and confectionery during COVID-19
· Over 1 million Brits would invest £2000 in a chocolate and confectionery business
With this rise in artisanal craftsmanship and creativity, Mayku are helping these designers and innovative makers across the country to work remotely in lockdown and continue to make incredible and delicious creations, by providing portable desktop factories and the materials needed to carry out product development remotely.
Co-founders of Mayku, Alex Smilansky and Benjamin Redford, which makes equipment including its FormBox moulding system used within chocolate confectionery, discuss how people can turn their passion projects into a source of income, and the importance of improving the accessibility of the tools and equipment needed to do so:
Alex Smilansky: “It is truly wonderful to see the sheer quantity of people in Britain who have benefited from allowing their creative juices to flow by taking up, or even rediscovering the joy of baking and cooking. The process of crafting innovative and artisanal desserts allows people not only to reignite their creative mindset, but also encourages productivity with delicious results.”
Benjamin Redford: “We have also found that the time spent in lockdown has inspired some people to take their craft hobbies and nurture them to create fully-fledged businesses out of their homes. With more time and energy to dedicate to their passion projects, the lift in lockdown has seen a rise in the number of brand new, innovative and creative businesses.
At Mayku, we are so pleased to see so many people discovering new creative passions, and we are committed to giving everyone in the UK the power to kickstart their own hobbies or even businesses, by providing quality materials, equipment, and a friendly online community for help and support.”
