Dark Chocolate Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (50% to 90% Dark Chocolate and Above 90% Dark Chocolate), By Form (Bars, Chips & Chunks, Blocks, and Powders), By Application (Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy & Frozen Desserts, Beverages, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global dark chocolate market size was valued at USD 5.68 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 5.97 billion in 2025 to USD 8.98 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.99% during the forecast period. Europe dominated the dark chocolate market with a market share of 47.89% in 2024.

Dark chocolate is an emerging segment within the global cocoa and chocolate industry. This industry is exhibiting strong growth worldwide, with emerging consumer shifts toward premium confectioneries and health priorities. Increasing key players' penetrating activities, such as new product launches, entering the segment, effective marketing mix & product position, and geographical expansion, also contribute to improving the product availability and accessibility in the market space, which is anticipated to propel the industry forward. The growing adult population, women's employment rate, rising disposable income, and growing urbanization across the globe, especially in emerging economies, are significantly contributing to the industry's growth over the forecast period. Barry Callebaut, Cargill Inc., Fuji Oil Company Ltd., Mars Inc., and Hershey Company are a few key players in the industry.

Dark Chocolate Market Snapshot & Highlights

Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 5.68 billion
• 2025 Market Size: USD 5.97 billion
• 2032 Forecast Market Size: USD 8.98 billion
• CAGR: 5.99% from 2025–2032

Market Share:

• Europe dominated the dark chocolate market with a 47.89 % share in 2024, driven by consumers’ appetite for premium snacks, a wide product range, and rising demand for organic, sugar-free, and gluten-free variants.
• By type, 50 % – 90 % dark chocolate is expected to retain the largest market share in 2025, supported by its balanced cocoa content, milder bitterness, and perceived health benefits that appeal to a broad consumer base.

Key Country Highlights:

• Germany: Highest per-capita chocolate consumption in Europe and a leading chocolate producer, sustaining robust demand for dark chocolate.
• United States: Strong premiumization trend; health-conscious consumers willingly pay more for high-cocoa products, making the U.S. a key market.
• China: Rapid urbanization and rising middle-class incomes are boosting retail demand for premium dark chocolate confectionery.
• Brazil: Growing preference for authentic, high-cocoa products and premium chocolates is accelerating dark chocolate sales in South America.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Increasing Consumer Preference for Premium Chocolates Drives Market Growth

Shifting consumer tastes are boosting the demand for premium chocolates, such as dark chocolates. The product contains a high proportion of cocoa and offers unique health benefits. As the product demand rises across developing and developed countries, leading brands focus on expanding their product offerings in the category range to cater to the clientele. Key players are offering a wide range of dark chocolate to cater to their consumers, which will drive the global dark chocolate market growth in the upcoming years. For instance, Mars Wrigley India, a part of Mars Inc., a key confectionery manufacturing company, entered the dark chocolate segment by launching GALAXY FUSIONS Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa in India.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Increasing Cocoa Bean Prices May Hamper Market Growth

Dark chocolate contains more than 50% cocoa solids, mainly derived from cocoa beans. Thus, the cocoa bean is a vital ingredient in manufacturing dark chocolate. However, over the past few years, cocoa bean prices have risen significantly. Cocoa bean production is primarily affected by weather conditions, the spread of crop diseases, and supply chain challenges. Extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and heavy rainfall, have reduced crop yields in key cocoa-producing countries, including Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The increased costs and supply chain disruptions result in heightened tensions among key chocolate manufacturers. It may negatively affect the global market growth during the forecast period.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Emerging Premium Indulgence Demand to Shift Industry’s Landscape

Dark chocolate is often perceived as a healthier indulgence option than other confectioneries. It contains higher antioxidant content and significantly contributes to heart health. Furthermore, higher cocoa content, unique flavor notes, texture, and vibrant appearance are appealing to consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z demographics. All these factors influence consumers' willingness to pay more for high-quality premium chocolates, including dark chocolate. According to the National Confectioners Association, approximately 28% of consumers across the U.S. are opting for dark chocolate. It will change the industry Landscape by forcing key players to develop innovative products to meet the market demand. As a result, the global dark chocolate industry is anticipated to experience further growth in the near future.

Dark Chocolate Market Trends

Growing New Product Launches with Specialty Claims to Change Industry Landscape

Demand for clean-label and allergen-free food ingredients is emerging in the food industry. Most processed food industry players, including bakery, snacks, and cookies manufacturers, are commercializing the trend by introducing gluten-free, sugar-free, and allergen-free food products to meet consumers' demand. It has influenced the market, and key players are introducing new products within the category to strengthen their market presence & stay ahead in the competitive curve. It will change the industry outlook in the upcoming years. For instance, in November 2024, Guittard Chocolate Company launched 72% dark chocolate chips in a mini-size under its brand  Santé. The new product contains coconut sugar and is vegan, dairy-free, and kosher.

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Segmentation Analysis

By Type

Wide Acceptability and Taste, Making 50% to 90% Dark Chocolate to Dominate Industry

Based on type, the global market is divided into 50% to 90% dark chocolate and above 90% dark chocolate. The 50% to 90% dark chocolate segment held a prominent global market share in 2024. The product's popularity is likely to emerge due to its balanced formulation of cocoa content, taste, and perceived health benefits of dark chocolate. The balanced combination of functionality and taste offers a more palatable experience to consumers. Less bitterness and health-associated benefits make it a more appealing premium confectionery option among consumers. As a result, brands are inclined to offer a wide range of products within this category, allowing consumers to access the product.

The above 90% dark chocolate category is likely to grow at a steady CAGR during the forecast period. The product contains a higher cocoa proportion and offers more antioxidants and flavonoids. It helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and improves blood flow. The high percentage of cocoa content also allows it to hold higher nutritional value, such as iron, copper, and magnesium. It supports achieving both mental and physical health and well-being. Growing health concerns and consumers' acceptance of intense flavors are likely to drive the segment's growth in the upcoming years.

By Form

Bars Led Market Due to Their Longer Shelf Life & Storage Convenience

Based on form, the global market is divided into bars, chips & chunks, blocks, and powders. The bars segment held the highest market share in 2024. Bar formats of dark chocolates are significantly used in various applications in the food & beverages industry, including bakery, beverages, confectionery, and desserts. As the bar format offers more shelf life, Convenience in storing, and bulk packaging, it is one of the ideal formats of dark chocolate for industrial applications.

The chips & chunks segment is experiencing significant growth. Increasing the product demand from the bakery, especially in the artisanal baking industry, is driving the chips & chunks demand. Chocolate chips are incredibly versatile baking ingredients and can be used in cookies, muffins, pancakes, breads, and other baked products. This broadens their appeal to both home bakers and commercial food manufacturers. Therefore, prominent players in the market have been coming up with innovative launches.

By Application

Wide Application of Products Primarily Responding to Confectionery Segment’s Dominance

Based on application, the global market is divided into confectionery, bakery, dairy & frozen desserts, beverages, and others. The confectionery segment is expected to hold a major dark chocolate market share over the forecast period. The demand for dark chocolate can be recognized by producing a richer flavor. The emerging premiumization trend in the confectionery industry also significantly contributes to the demand for healthy, rich-cocoa-containing dark chocolate. Increasing consumption of confectionery products and the popularity of dark chocolate are likely to drive the product demand.

The bakery segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment, as dark chocolates are also widely used in the industry. It enables bakers to be more creative in product innovation and provide a sensory experience in baked goods, offering promising growth opportunities.

Dark Chocolate Market Regional Outlook

By geography, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Europe

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Europe dominated the global market with 47.59% in 2024. The growth of the market in the region is primarily driven by the growing demand for snacks among consumers, the availability of a wide range of products, and the premiumization of the product offerings. Additionally, the growing health consciousness among consumers across Germany, France, Spain, and the U.K. has led to a constantly growing market for organic, sugar-free, and gluten-free dark chocolates. It is significantly driving the market in the region.

Germany is known to be one of the major chocolate-consuming countries in Europe, registering the largest per capita chocolate consumption. The country is the fourth largest importer of cocoa and is the leading chocolate producer in the European region, attracting many opportunities for the market.

North America

North America is a profitable regional market, especially for dark chocolate manufacturers, as consumers are willing to spend more for premium chocolate products. The trend of chocolate premiumization and organic chocolate in North America is a major hit, as consumers are highly inclined toward products made from pure ingredients and offering high health benefits. The region is also one of the major markets for post-processing cocoa products such as dark chocolate.  The U.S. is one of the leading consumers of dark chocolate products globally; products made of cocoa beans, such as confectionery, baked goods, beverages, dairy, and frozen desserts flavored with cocoa beans, are extremely popular and consumed in huge quantities in the country. Furthermore, consumers' preference for health consciousness strongly drives the demand for products in the U.S.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is projected to become one of the fastest-growing regions where the demand for dark chocolate is expected to increase rapidly, owing to the rapid rates of urbanization and the consequent increase in discretionary spending from the middle-class population. China and India are the two major economies where the demand for dark chocolate confectioneries is expected to increase rapidly. The retail demand for such products is expected to fuel the growth of the region's market. Additionally, regional players and artisanal chocolate manufacturers such as Fuji Oil, Amul, Harbinger Foods, and others are significantly introducing new variants within the dark chocolate category. It may contribute significantly to the industry's growth.

South America

The South American market caters to the rising demand for premium chocolates in Brazil and Argentina. This has led to an uptick in the consumption of the region's dark chocolate. Premium cocoa butter-based ingredients are projected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The high demand for dark chocolate in the region is attributable to the high inclination of consumers toward the authentic taste of cocoa-based products and the health benefits associated with it. Moreover, the increasing urbanization, busy lifestyles, and Convenience trends create demand for readily available products such as snacks and confectionery, often relying on dark chocolate for affordability.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa market is experiencing steady growth, owing to rising disposable incomes across African countries, growing demand for premium chocolates, and increasing product innovation. This growth is primarily driven by its varied applications in ice creams, bakeries, beverages, and other food products. The country's market players are preparing premium and innovative chocolate products from good-quality cocoa to meet the rising demand for premium chocolate indulgence. This will significantly contribute to the market growth across the region.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Expanding Chocolate Production Capacity to Meet Product Demand in Coming Years

The global dark chocolate market share is concentrated among a few key players and chocolate manufacturers. Barry Callebaut, Cargill Inc., Fuji Oil Company Ltd., Mars Inc., and Hershey Company are a few key players in the industry. These key players are involved in new product launches, product innovation, expanding base capacity, and strengthening e-commerce presence to achieve long-term business goals and stay ahead of the competitive curve. This will likely change the industry scenario in the coming years.

LIST OF KEY DARK CHOCOLATE COMPANIES PROFILED

• Barry Callebaut AG (Switzerland)
• Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.)
• CEMOI Group (France)
• Fuji Oil Company Ltd. (Japan)
• Guittard Chocolate Company (U.S.)
• Kerry Group (Ireland)
• Mars Incorporated (U.S.)
• Mondelez International, Inc. (U.S.)
• Nestle S.A. (Switzerland)
• The Hershey Company (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• May 2025 – HU, a chocolate brand, expanded its product range by launching wrapped Dark Chocolate Bites. It includes three varieties: Hazelnut Butter, Cashew Butter + Pure Vanilla Bean, and a new flavor, Creamy Coconut.
• November 2024 - Awake Chocolate, a Canadian company, launched the Dark Chocolate Variety Pack. The newly launched chocolate products are available in two new flavors: Salted Almond Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate.
• March 2024 – Cargill Inc., a key food ingredient manufacturing company, launched a range of block chocolates, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder products under its NatureFresh Professional brand. These newly launched products are available in dark, milk, and white varieties.
• January 2024—Nestle SA, a key global food and beverage manufacturing company, launched 70% dark chocolate under its KitKat brand in the U.K. and
• July 2021 – Harbinger Foods, an emerging artisanal bakery company, launched an artisanal chocolate, Kokoma! The newly launched chocolate is available in five flavors: dark chocolate with chilli and dark chocolate with orange peel.

REPORT COVERAGE

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Report Scope & Segmentation