Mixed bag for Halloween confectionery in Europe

Halloween confectionery big in UK and Ireland but weaker in Italy and Spain

Related tags European union United kingdom Europe

Halloween confectionery sales are expected to grow in line with the overall market in Europe, but there are notably differences among EU countries, according to industry association Caobisco.

Halloween rules the seasons in the US, but Easter and Christmas have a bigger following in Europe.

Caobisco (The Association of the Chocolate, Biscuits and Confectionery Industries of Europe) does not record EU Halloween sales, but Laurence Vicca, communications and Projects manager at the organization told ConfectioneryNews: “The chocolate, biscuit and confectionery market is doing well in general so it is expected that the Halloween period will follow the same trend. “

“In Finland for instance, Halloween is a rising trend especially in fine bakery wares.”

However, she noted that while the festive season had an impact on confectionery sales in in the UK and Ireland, the festival was not as popular in countries like Italy or Spain.

“However, European manufacturers are always willing to innovate and they are making special products to develop this market,” she said.

Europe’s largest chocolate market by volume, Germany, recorded €2m ($2.7m) in Halloween candy sales, according to the latest figures from German Confectionery Association (BDSI).