2026 Global Top 100 Candy Companies ranking – summary
- Mondelēz retained first place ahead of Mars for third year
- Ferrero, Hershey and Nestlé completed the global top five
- Meiji ranked sixth while Lindt secured seventh position globally
- Mars sales estimates may vary because figures remain private
- Confectionery growth persists despite cocoa costs and inflationary pressures
Mondelēz International has taken the top spot in Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s 2026 Global Top 100 Candy Companies rankings.
The maker of Cadbury, Toblerone and Milka beat Mars, Inc. to the take the crown for the third year running, demonstrating the company’s continued dominance in the global confectionery market.
The list, based on sales revenue, contradicts Global Growth Insights’ rankings which put Mars in the number one spot. This could be because, as a private company Mars is not required to release its sales figures, leaving analysts to rely on estimates that can differ significantly.
Next on the list is Ferrero Group, followed by The Hershey Company, with Nestlé, rounding off the top five.
Let’s take a look at who else made the list.
2026 Global Top 100 candy companies
| Company | Headquarters | Revenue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mondelēz International | USA | $38.5bn |
| 2 | Mars, Inc. | USA | $36bn |
| 3 | Ferrero Group | Luxembourg, Italy | $22.2bn |
| 4 | The Hershey Company | USA | $11.7bn |
| 5 | Nestlé | Switzerland | $11bn |
| 6 | Meiji Co. Ltd. | Japan | $10.9bn |
| 7 | Lindt & Sprüngli AG | Switzerland | $7.5bn |
| 8 | Haribo GmbH & Co. K.G. | Germany | $5.7bn |
| 9 | Perfetti Van Melle | Netherlands | $4.8bn |
| 10 | pladis | UK | $3.7bn |
Top performers
Japanese confectionery giant Meiji Co. Ltd. secured sixth place with confectionery sales of $10.9bn, narrowly trailing Nestlé. Lindt & Sprüngli followed in seventh position, reporting confectionery sales of $7.5bn, reflecting the continued strength of the premium chocolate segment.
The rankings also underline the global nature of the confectionery industry, with companies from North America, Europe and Asia all featuring prominently among the leading players. While US-based manufacturers continue to occupy a number of top positions, European groups such as Ferrero, Nestlé and Lindt remain major forces in the market.
Confectionery sector success
The confectionery sector is thriving, with a global market value of over $228bn and a CAGR of 3.26% (Fortune Business Insights), despite persistent challenges, including volatile cocoa prices, inflationary pressures and changing consumer preferences.
The performance of companies across the Top 100 rankings highlights the resilience of chocolate and sugar confectionery, which have remained affordable indulgences for many consumers even during periods of economic uncertainty.
And, much of the sector’s recent growth has been driven by innovation and new product development, particularly in areas such as better-for-you treats and seasonal offerings.
At the same time, manufacturers have continued to invest heavily in marketing and supply chain improvements to protect margins and maintain consumer loyalty.
Mergers and acquisitions have also played an important role in strengthening market positions, with giants including Mondelēz, Mars, Ferrero and Hershey all expanding through major acquisitions.
The latest rankings also reveal that scale remains a key competitive advantage. The companies occupying the top positions benefit from globally recognised brands, extensive distribution networks and the financial resources needed to navigate rising commodity costs and ongoing market volatility.
Overall, the rankings highlight an industry that remains resilient and continues to prosper despite mounting challenges. In other words, the future’s looking bright.
