IRI's Dan Sadler recently spoke to Candy Industry about projections for the 2022 Halloween season and what the research firm expects heading into the holidays.

Grocery pickup and delivery platform Instacart has revealed insights surrounding consumers’ Halloween candy buying habits.

MarketsandMarkets expects the category to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9 percent, thanks to increasing product launches that use nuts as a key ingredient.

MarketsandMarkets pointed to consumers’ interest in prioritizing their health as a factor in driving demand for dark chocolate with higher cocoa content.

Increasing awareness of plant-based foods and changes in food consumption patterns are driving forces for the market.

Among the factors driving growth are expanding interest in the vegan diet and increased awareness of environmental protection and animal cruelty campaigns.

With 90 percent of consumers aware of brand pages and accounts on social media — and only 10 percent who say they avoid brands’ social media pages — the opportunity for consumer engagement is huge.

FMCG Gurus says research conducted in 2021 revealed that 24 percent of consumers have looked to reduce their snacking habits – compared to 35 percent who say they are now doing so more frequently.

In its Top Ten Trends for 2022, Innova Market Insights has identified the demand for trust in a sustainable future as the biggest driver of consumer behavior in the year ahead.

Research and Markets says the growth in Mexico’s cocoa market is driven by a governmental push and sustainability programs by international companies.