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2026/03/04

The reason why puffed foods are popular worldwide

Puffed snacks have gained global popularity mainly due to their excellent texture, diverse flavors, portability, affordability, and efficient industrial production, which precisely meet modern consumer demands. I. Sensory and Flavor Advantages After puffing, the porous and fluffy structure delivers a crunchy texture that relieves stress. The precise combination of salt, sugar, and fat creates a "flavor explosion" that stimulates appetite. Raw materials include grains, potatoes, and beans, with flavors ranging from classic original to regional and cross-border innovations, adapting to tastes worldwide. II. Edibility and Supply Chain Advantages They are ready-to-eat, lightweight, and portable, with a long shelf life, suitable for commuting, movie-watching, gatherings, and other scenarios. The extrusion puffing process is continuous and efficient with high raw material utilization, and large-scale production keeps prices low with high cost-effectiveness. The products are light, moisture-proof, and heat-resistant, with low global transportation and distribution costs, ensuring strong market penetration. III. Consumer and Market Drivers They cover all age groups, especially favored by young people, becoming a carrier for social sharing and emotional stress relief. The industry continues technological upgrades, launching healthier products such as non-fried and whole-grain options, alleviating health concerns and expanding consumption boundaries.

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2026/03/04

2026 Candy Market Trends

With the upgrading of consumption, traditional foods are increasingly imbued with health attributes, and candies are also beginning to upgrade towards a healthier direction. Currently, the entire candy industry is attempting to find new breakthroughs in functionalities, vegetarian nutrition, sugar reduction, and other creative ideas, which has become a key aspect of the innovation trend in the candy industry. Functional sugar In the confectionery category, functionality represents a promising development direction. Although the market share of functional candies is currently small, their health benefits remain a significant profit growth point that cannot be ignored. According to data from the China Commerce Industry Research Institute, functional candies have seen significant growth in the domestic sales market, with the functional candy market expected to exceed RMB 8.6 billion in 2022. According to NBJ data, global sales of functional candies doubled in just four years (from 2014 to 2018). Among functional candies, soft candies are particularly popular. According to consumption data from Tmall, in 2020, functional soft candies became the fastest-growing health product dosage form among young groups such as the post-90s generation and Generation Z. Currently, there are soft candies on the market that supplement vitamins and minerals, DHA soft candies, yeast zinc soft candies, probiotic soft candies, melatonin soft candies, collagen soft candies, and other products. The launch of functional candies is an extension of traditional candy brands into high-end product categories, reflecting consumers' high-level and multi-layered demands for candy products. Sugar-free candy With the increasing demand for health, the trend of "low sugar, no sugar" has emerged, and consumers have also put forward demands for confectionery products - not only nutritious and healthy, but also with less sugar. Against the backdrop of reducing sugar intake becoming a global trend, the daily demand for traditional candies has gradually decreased. According to the "2019-2023 Candy Industry In-depth Market Research and Investment Strategy Recommendation Report", China's candy production was 3.31 million tons in 2017, a decrease of 6.0% from the 3.52 million tons in 2016. In 2018, China's candy production dropped to 2.88 million tons, marking a year-on-year decrease of 13.0%, with the decline further intensifying. To this end, many companies have launched sugar-free lollipops, such as Hsu Fu Chi's Dr. Bear sugar-free lollipops, Three Squirrels' Little Deer Blue Blue sugar-free lollipops, and Tang Cube's sugar-free lollipops. The development of sugar-free candies is worth looking forward to. Vegetarian candy The proposition of plant-based products is another significant consumer trend in the confectionery market. Data indicates that from 2016 to 2020, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for confectionery products claiming to be vegetarian was 17%, while the CAGR for confectionery products claiming to be plant-based more than doubled last year. Candy manufacturers are eliminating ingredients such as dairy products, gelatin, and carmine to meet the growing demand for plant-based products, which are perceived not only as healthier but also more ethical and sustainable. For instance, the Canadian candy brand Yumy Bear offers low-sugar vegan gummy bears that utilize plant-based ingredients instead of gelatin. In recent years, with the diversification of consumers' health demands, numerous candy manufacturers have prioritized the research and development of new products that meet consumer needs. A steady stream of innovative products has injected new vitality into the candy market. Riding the "health" wave, the candy industry is slowly moving forward.

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