Americans love them—who wouldn’t?
For generations, Americans have relied on certain sweet traditions to make their holiday celebrations complete. According to the National Confectioners Association (NCA), there are two sweet treats that Americans can’t imagine celebrating the winter holidays without: chocolate and candy.
Based on the NCA’s recent survey, 95% of Americans are ready to celebrate the winter holidays with these confections. “Chocolate and candy are essential parts of the winter holidays, deeply connected to the traditions that define this time of year,” said NCA President John Downs.
Confectionery sales during the winter holidays reached nearly $7 billion in 2023, according to the survey, with expectations of a 3% growth in 2024. The winter holiday season, along with other key holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Halloween, accounts for 64% of the annual sales in the $48 billion U.S. confectionery industry.
In terms of gifting, more than half of Americans give chocolate and candy as part of their holiday presents. Foil-wrapped chocolates, small chocolate boxes, and candy canes are popular choices for stocking stuffers.
The survey also shared some fun facts about candy consumption. For example, when it comes to candy canes, 54% of respondents start with the straight end, 30% begin with the curved end, and 16% break them into pieces.
The National Confectioners Association is a trade group that promotes the role of chocolate, candy, gum, and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle, along with the companies that make them.