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Due to the surge in chocolate buyers with every passing year, the cocoa market has simultaneously improved in terms of sales as well as popularity. There are several medical debates on how chocolate affects health. It is considered to be an aphrodisiac, which is something that induces a feeling of happiness. However, excess of it can be harmful to the health because of the high sugar content in it.
The rising popularity of chocolate brands in the world is partly because they tend to cater to newer needs of the market, as a regulated amount of sugar or new flavors in their offerings. Having an increased number of options is rather exciting to chocolate lovers. It also gives the brand the room to create new tastes and evolve, making them stand out among others.
So, here are some of the brands that earn big bucks by selling ever-popular chocolates.
Guylian
The most attractive thing about Guylian chocolates is their fancy seashell-shaped pralines. Made and manufactured in Belgium, the seashell-shaped chocolates are made even more decadent with their delicious fillings.
Belgium is the hub of chocolate manufacturers, and this brand is one of the most popular ones. It was founded by Guy Foubert in 1958 and was later taken over by Lotte Confectionery in 2008 at the price of over $164 million. Guylian is also a favorite because of the pretty gift packages that the company offers.
Orion Corp.
Orion Corp is a company based in Seoul, South Korea. It specializes in delicious chocolate snacks, making it one of the richest in the world and the third-largest brand in South Korea.
It has made some serious impact in Asia as its Choco pie is insanely loved in the continent. Other than chocolate, it also makes biscuits, gums, cookies, pies, and the like. Other than America, Orion Corp has its food established in markets like China, Russia, and Vietnam. Its net sales figures are around a fantastic $1.8 billion.
Pladis
Pladis is a brand that not only manufactures chocolate; it is also the parent company of United Biscuits, Ülker, Godiva Chocolatier, and DeMet’s Candy Company. The company was recently founded as a subsidiary of Yıldız Holding and is based in Britain.
Pladis has a net sales revenue of about $4.5 billion. The brand has been conducting such expansive business that it has factories in nearly 13 countries today. It is a popular chocolate brand in about 120 countries all over Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the USA.
Mondelez International
The multinational company that collectively owns top-rated chocolate brands like Cadbury and Toblerone is Mondelez International and is based in Deerfield, Illinois. Some highly famous labels like Oreo and Chips Ahoy are also subsidiaries of this company.
Mondelez International controls not only chocolate and confectionery brands but also several other food and snack items. The headquarters of Mondelez is in Chicago, but it is functional in about 120 countries. Hershey's turned down its offer to buy the brand for about $23 million.
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
Other than Belgium, Switzerland is also famous for its art of making chocolate. Lindt & Sprüngli AG is considered to be the most popular chocolate brand in the country.
Its headquarters are located in Kilchberg, Switzerland, and it is pretty famous for its truffles as well. Lindt ice cream is also a huge deal in countries all over Europe and Australia. It has also become a favorite in America in recent years and now has an annual sales figure of about $4 billion.
Nestlé SA
Nestle is another Swiss brand that manufactures not only chocolate but also beverages. Its jaw-dropping $8 billion worth of annual sales is one of the largest sugar confectionery manufacturers worldwide.
Nestle’s high sales figures are primarily because it is also one of the largest producers of food and beverages in various countries. Nestle has also been endorsed by several famous personalities and is functional in over 191 countries.
Hershey Co
Talk of an American chocolate brand that is among the wealthiest manufacturers on a global scale, and Hershey's wins the race. Although Hershey’s faced a slight slack recently, it has managed to remain in the top 5 brands.
It is headquartered in Derry Township in Pennsylvania and was founded by Milton S. Hershey back in 1984. Hershey’s Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are among the company's signature chocolate products, which are probably on most chocolate lovers' favorites list.
Meiji Co Ltd
Meiji is among the top 5 richest chocolate brands worldwide; however, it is on the top in Japan. Meiji, based in Tokyo, is strangely versatile as it produces not only chocolate confectionery but also pharmaceutical products.
The growth of Meiji over the years has been immense. Lately, global customers are starting to become properly acquainted with the brand. It is still growing its popularity worldwide, but it is already one of the richest brands. It might even become the richest brand once the masses get a taste of its offerings.
Ferrero Rocher
There would hardly be any folks who possess a dislike towards Ferrero Rocher. This world-famous chocolate is the creation of the Ferrero group, which is an Italian Confectionery group founded back in 1979.
It is the brainchild of Michele Ferrero, who instructed the Ferrero Rocher sweet ball of chocolate back in 1979. Back then, he also owned the Ferrero Spa. The packaging of this confectionery is one of its exclusive features that win the hearts of its customers.
Mars Wrigley Confectionery
Mars is considered the largest chocolate confectionery manufacturer, but it is not only chocolate products that Mars produces. It owns popular sub-brands like Snickers, Skittles, Galaxy, and M&Ms.
It also specializes in pet food and providing care to animals besides providing certain other food items. The Mars bar is perhaps the most famous product manufactured by the company. It is the wealthiest chocolate manufacturing company with an annual sales number of $18 billion.
Numerous chocolate brands have made history ever since their inception. However, these names are some of the most epic ones who have made them the richest chocolate brands in the world with their exceptional chocolate-making art and business skills.
Source: Zippia, Kanigas, BizVibe, Global Brands