Chocolate Buyer 2025

23 specialityfoodmagazine.com PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT WITORS FUNCTIONAL Mushrooms are having theirmoment and currently sit at the top of the health- conscious foodie’s agenda thanks to their wellness-boosting benefits such as increased energy and immunity, better cognitive performance and support with sleep and gut health issues. Look for confectionery benefiting from the likes of Lion’sMane, Chaga and Reishi. Plus, Ashwagandha is everywhere right now so awareness is on the up. PISTACHIO We could all be forgiven for assuming that the Dubai chocolate trendwas a flash in the pan, but newvariations just keep coming – and the trend for pistachio in thewider food and drink sector isn’t going anywhere either. The big confectionery players are bringing out their own versions left, right and centre, but as a speciality retailer your role is to provide an elevated take on the trend – think provenance, superior flavour, and innovative formats that deliver extra indulgence. Wizarding World fans, prepare for a spellbinding treat! Witors presents a magical new range of Harry Potter biscuits and chocolate bars that are perfect for any muggle or wizard. Each bite taking your consumers on a journey to Hogwarts. Delicious milk chocolate and crunchy biscuits shaped in the iconic symbols from the series, including the Hogwarts crest and the Golden Snitch, these make for a delightful and tasty treat bringing the magic of Harry Potter straight to your table. They make a fab gift too! Don’t miss out on these enchantingly delicious delights. bestimports.co.uk WHAT’S HOT Limited editions are proving particularly powerful, with seasonal and limited-edition flavors becoming the top influence on consumer food and beverage choices globally. The strategy shows remarkable success, with year-over-year growth in newchocolate confectionery launches featuring limited-edition claims demonstrating sustained consumer appetite for novelty INNOVA MARKET INSIGHTS SEASONAL SPECIALS Confectionery is one of the biggest categories to benefit fromseasonal flavours and limited-edition products, with classic flavours such as gingerbread, cinnamon and chocolate orange scenting the air as the festive season approaches; hot cross bun-inspired chocolate and confectionery creating moments at Easter; and floral options finding newcustomers for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Pumpkin spice is a heavy hitter at Halloween andwell worth investing in – indeed, according to Data Intelo, theworld’s Halloween confectionerymarket is currentlyworth 23.93 billionUS dollars. While it can be tempting to go all out with overtly seasonal products, some suggest stocking carefully andwith your customer inmind – some audiences are fans of novelty products, such as snowmen and Father Christmas, when the festive season approaches, while others prefer to keep it winterywith snowflakes (which can helpmaintain their shelf appeal post-Christmas, too). COCOBA ORANGE CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN LOLLIPOP This blends the subtle tanginess of orange with the sweetness of Belgian white chocolate to create a fun spooky snack to tuck into on Halloween night. cocobachocolate.com WHEYBETTER PROTEINMILK CHOCOLATE The UK’s first protein-packed, no-added sugar, vitamin-infused, functional chocolate bar. wheybetter.co.uk PRESTAT CRUNCHY KADAYIF ‘DUBAI STYLE’ TRUFFLE Experience the viral Dubai chocolate craze in a single bite with this milk chocolate truffle, filled with crunchy kadayif and creamy Sicilian pistachio paste. prestat.com CHOCOCO FATHER CHRISTMAS MILK CHOCOLATE BAR An award-winning festive bar made with 47% milk chocolate in Colombia, boasting rich and creamy cocoa with bright top notes. chococo.co.uk KETO NATURALS BUTTERY COCONUT KETO COOKIES Made from fresh coconut, this swe et snack is healthy, paleo-friendly and vegan-friendly. thecoconutkitchen.co.uk IBADAH PISTACHIO FLAVOUR CHOCOLATE DATES Delight in the perfect blend of succulent Arabian dates, coated in rich, velvety Belgian chocolate, and filled with a crunchy almond core. Individually wrapped and elegantly presented in a luxurious gold foil gift box. ibadahlondon.com