Signature ingredients in the chocolate and vanilla sectors offer bakeries and patisseries the unique opportunity to stand apart from the competition and appeal to consumers in unique manners.

How big of a deal is the health message about chocolates with consumers today? And which messages resonate most of all?

Around the globe, the message is clear. Food safety has risen to the top of consumers’ chief concerns when discussing the topic of food, including chocolate.

Chocolate innovations are helping the industry to grow.

The chocolate category is performing well, with growth of approximately 4% in measured channels for the first half of the year. While take-home products are driving outsized growth, instant consumable products are also growing.

As bakers and pastry chefs look forward, the handwriting is on the wall for the chocolate industry for adapting to the new economy, which has been forced by economic challenges brought on by the cruel effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.