We talk about the results of 2024 in the confectionery market and where manufacturers and suppliers of confectionery and bakery products can look for new clients

According to BusinesStat, in 2024, confectionery production in the CIS countries increased by 2.8% compared to 2023 and reached 5.59 million tons. The production of flour products increased the most - by 3.3% - and amounted to 2.8 million tons by the end of the year. It was flour products that accounted for about half of the total confectionery production in the region in 2020-2024, while chocolate and cocoa products accounted for 30%, and sugary sweets - 20%.

The leading producer of confectionery products among all CIS countries is Russia. In 2020–2024, the share of Russian production averaged 75% of the total output of all states in the region. According to various estimates, in 2024, the volume of confectionery production in Russia increased by 3.9–4.2% compared to 2023. The Association of Confectionery Industry Enterprises (ASKOND) reports that by the end of 2024, the volume amounted to more than 4.3 million tons. The scale of confectionery production almost completely covers domestic demand and allows exporting goods abroad, including to the CIS countries, while imports of sweets account for only about 8%.

Confectionery sales also increased in 2024: growth was 2.7% compared to 2023, and volumes reached 3.95 million tons. Flour desserts made the largest contribution to the positive dynamics of confectionery sales: their sales increased by 3.7%. In this category, sales of sweet cookies, gingerbread, muffins, waffles and other long-life flour products increased the most, while demand for cakes and pastries decreased.

Sales of sugar confectionery products increased by 2.6% last year. Here, caramel and sugar candies were the most popular, but interest in them is gradually declining.

Sales of chocolate sweets increased by only 1.1% in 2024, which is due to a significant increase in the cost of chocolate products due to the global shortage of cocoa beans. Against this background, consumers began to buy more affordable cocoa products, milk chocolate, and white chocolate more often. In addition, sales of chocolate candies and chocolate-coated candies increased.

As for bakery products, this category is also showing positive dynamics. According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, in 2024, the production of bread and bakery products increased by 7900 tons compared to 2023 and amounted to about 6.3 million tons. Sales of bakery products increased by 14% and reached 731 thousand tons, which is twice as much as in 2020.

The growth in production and sales of confectionery and bakery products is associated with increased consumer demand for sweet products. Sweets are part of the daily diet of Russians, which helps improve the emotional background and mood, and tasty food, in particular sweets, is one of the top three ways consumers choose to combat stress. In this regard, retailers and catering owners are expanding the range of confectionery and bakery products they offer and increasing the number of sales outlets. And in order to continue working on these processes, they will look for new manufacturers and suppliers capable of satisfying the high demand of Russians for sweet products.

Manufacturers and suppliers will be able to find retail and wholesale trade specialists and representatives of the public catering segment interested in purchasing confectionery and bakery products at the 34th International Autumn Food Exhibition WorldFood Moscow, which will be held on September 16–19 in Moscow, Crocus Expo IEC. Last year, the exhibition was visited by 22,554 people, and 31% of them were interested in purchasing confectionery and bakery products.

By participating in the Confectionery and Bakery Products section at WorldFood Moscow 2025, you will be able to present the following products to the maximum target audience of the exhibition: confectionery, caramel and dragee, chocolate and cocoa products, cakes and pastries, marshmallows, marmalade and pastille, oriental sweets, halva, jelly, flour confectionery, dietary confectionery, chewing gum and refreshing dragees, confectionery snacks, frozen cakes and desserts, confectionery pastes, dessert honey, syrups, jam, preserves, New Year gifts, bakery products, rusks, pretzels, crispbreads and other products.

Present your confectionery and bakery products to buyers from two distribution channels at once - retail and HoReCa - and hold live meetings with purchasing decision makers. Just 4 days of participation in the WorldFood Moscow 2025 exhibition, and new purchasing contracts are already yours!