Licorice Candy Market
Report ID: SQMIG30I2734
Report ID: SQMIG30I2734
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Report ID:
SQMIG30I2734 |
Region:
Global |
Published Date: January, 2026
Pages:
194
|Tables:
140
|Figures:
70
Global Licorice Candy Market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2024 and is poised to grow from USD 1.92 billion in 2025 to USD 3.28 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period (2026-2033).
Growth of the global licorice candy market is driven due to the return of nostalgic confectionery, the rising demand for clean-label products and the expansion of fruit-flavored varieties. These confectioneries are the main characters in the snacking industry, as they provide different textures that attract various age groups and are increasingly made with natural ingredients. Globally, fruit-flavored licorice accounts for the largest share of consumption as it has a wider sensory appeal as compared to the somewhat divisive black licorice.
Europe kept its lead in 2024 through well-established cultural habits, especially in the Nordic countries, and a strong market for luxury brands. The consumption of red licorice variants was high in North America, and the region was in the second position with sales through mass merchandisers being strong. The Asia-Pacific region is, however, the fastest-growing area, and this is mainly due to the Western influence and the development of retail channels. To differentiate their products, suppliers are putting a lot of money into sugar-free versions and eco-friendly packaging. Even though there is a continuous fluctuation in the price of raw materials which is a hindrance, the very nature of the indulgence products guarantees steady global demand until 2032.
How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Quality Control and Flavor Development in Confectionery?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the global licorice candy market strategies by making the production more accurate and by speeding up the trend-based product innovation. AI-powered computer vision technologies are in the cutting-edge manufacturing lines to ensure product consistency on a minute-to-minute basis, they are spotting irregularities in shape, size, and texture with much higher precision than human inspection and this is helping to reduce waste and at the same time deliver top quality products. Furthermore, machine learning models are digesting huge volumes of social media data and consumer review pools to detect new flavor trends that brands can use to more quickly roll out target-oriented limited-edition products. In March 2024, Mars, Inc. went for a substantial change by integrating advanced AI-based quality control systems throughout its production facilities to automate the identification of inconsistencies in candy ingredient distribution, thus greatly enhancing the company's operational efficiency and product uniformity.
Market snapshot - 2026-2033
Global Market Size
USD 1.05 Billion
Largest Segment
Fruit-Flavored Licorice (Sweet Licorice)
Fastest Growth
Sugar-Free and Functional Licorice
Growth Rate
6.50% CAGR
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Global Licorice Candy Market is segmented by Product Type, Form, Packaging, Distribution Channel, Consumer Age Group and region. Based on Product Type, the market is segmented into Black Licorice, Fruit-Flavored Licorice and Others. Based on Form, the market is segmented into Twists, Ropes, Bites and Others. Based on Packaging, the market is segmented into Bags, Boxes and Tins. Based on Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail and Specialty Stores. Based on Consumer Age Group, the market is segmented into Kids and Adults. Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.
Which Product Type Segment Dominates the Market and Which is Gaining the Most Traction?
The Fruit-Flavored Licorice (Sweet Licorice) segment is the one leading the market of a product type. This leadership of the segment is due to its wide sensory appeal to various demographics, especially children and young adults who usually do not like the strong and polarizing taste of black licorice. Extremely good availability of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry varieties through mass-market retail channels, mainly in North America, is strengthening the segment to be the leader of the share of the revenues.
The Sugar-Free and Functional Licorice segment is the one with the fastest growth. This quick development is a global trend of health consciousness, and the rise of lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes is the causes of that globally. Inhaling natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit gives manufacturers a chance to provide 'better-for-you' products without flavor loss, and this is the main reason for the uptake of these products.
Which Distribution Channel Segment Dominates the Market and Which is Expanding Most Rapidly?
The supermarkets/hypermarkets segment holds the largest share of market demand. Being the primary location for weekly grocery shopping, these big-format stores have a large shelf space for the 'impulse buy' and the 'bulk variety packs' which are the most important in driving confectionery sales. The one-stop shopping convenience and the aggressive promotional efforts by the leading retail chains ensure that this channel is still the financial mainstay of the industry.
The online retail segment is experiencing the fastest growth. This growth is attributed to the consumers' desire for convenience, the possibility to access niche and artisanal international brands that are not locally available, and the growth of direct-to-consumer subscription boxes. The digital shelf offers personalized marketing and bulk purchasing which are attractive especially to the younger, tech-savvy consumers.
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Why is Europe the Cultural and Commercial Heartland of Licorice?
According to the global licorice candy regional forecast, Europe is the leader of the market in 2024, thus being the largest consumer globally. This domination is largely due to the cultural habits in the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, and Germany where both salty and sweet licorice are considered dietary staples. Also, the region is the center for product innovation, thus leading the global transition to the use of premium, gourmet, and organic licorice varieties.
Licorice Candy Market in the Germany
According to the global licorice candy regional outlook, Germany is characterized by a strong market with a notable local preference for traditional black licorice and salty "salmiak" varieties. The country is a major manufacturing hub for leading confectionery brands. Besides this, German consumers are more and more choosing bio-organic and sugar-reduced products which in turn are pushing manufacturers towards innovations in sustainable packaging and clean-label ingredients.
Licorice Candy Market in the United Kingdom
As per the global licorice candy regional analysis, in the UK, the market is marked by a high demand for soft eating licorice and confectionery assortments like licorice allsorts. The trend moves in a direction to premiumization with consumers being ready to pay more for artisanal and natural products. There is also significant growth in online retail channels allowing the small British brands to access more extensive audiences.
Licorice Candy Market in France
As per the global licorice candy industry, the share of licorice candy in the French market is supported by a sophisticated appreciation for gourmet confectionery and regional specialties. The market is seeing a resurgence of interest in traditional recipes, particularly those utilizing high-quality licorice root extract from the Mediterranean region. Concurrently, the anise-flavored confectionery segment that appeals to the French taste for botanical flavors is gaining momentum.
How is North America Driving Innovation in Fruit-Flavored Licorice?
According to the global licorice candy market forecast, North America holds the second-largest market share, distinguished by its massive consumption of red, fruit-flavored licorice. The region is full of innovations for the mass market, and the big players are constantly coming up with new shapes, textures, and flavor mixes to attract young people. The "better-for-you" movement is also getting support here, thus helping the sale of low-sugar and gluten-free alternatives.
Licorice Candy Market in the United States
According to the global licorice candy market outlook, in the United States, the growth of the market is being kept up by the long-term popularity of the landmark brands and their large presence in cinema concessions and convenience stores. The market is undergoing a "texture revolution" with the rapid increase in demand for soft chews, ropes, and bites. Moreover, there are significant volume peaks due to seasonal changes for holidays like Halloween.
Licorice Candy Market in the Canada
As per the global licorice candy market analysis, in Canada, the market is transforming with a great emphasis on clean snacking. Canadian consumers are becoming more and more label-conscious when it comes to artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup, which is leading the natural licorice brands to grow. The market also has good demand for both the traditional black licorice and the new raspberry-infused varieties.
Why is Asia-Pacific the New Frontier for Licorice Candy?
As per the global licorice candy industry analysis, the fastest-growing region is Asia-Pacific, which is mainly influenced by the westernization of the taste of food and the development of the modern retail infrastructure. While traditionally flavored licorice is barely found, fruit-flavored gummy-style licorice is becoming extremely popular to kids and young adults. The impact of imported high-quality confectionery is also helping to shape urban consumption trends.
Licorice Candy Market in Japan
As per the global licorice candy market trends, the licorice candy market in Japan is a niche one but it is increasing in size, the growth being driven by the desire of the people to try foreign confectionery and flavors of limited editions. Japanese manufacturers are experimenting with fusing licorice textures with popular local flavors like grape and peach. The emphasis on high-quality, individually wrapped packaging appeals to the gifting culture.
Licorice Candy Market in South Korea
As per the global licorice candy industry trends, in South Korea, adoption is increasing due to the rising popularity of Western snacks and the expansion of global convenience store chains. The market is seeing an influx of fruit-flavored licorice ropes and twists, which are marketed as trendy, chewy snacks. Younger consumers are also getting familiar with these products through social media trends and by shopping in the imported food aisles.
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Licorice Candy Market Drivers
Rising Consumer Preference for Clean-Label and Organic Confectionery
Expansion of Gourmet and Premium Gift-Worthy Varieties
Licorice Candy Market Restraints
Health Concerns Associated with Excessive Glycyrrhizin Consumption
Volatility in Sugar and Wheat Flour Commodity Prices
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The global licorice candy market competitive landscape in 2025, features two distinct types of players – large confectionery conglomerates on one side and small, health-conscious, artisanal brands on the other. Industry giants such as The Hershey Company and American Licorice Company are leading the way in the mass market with the help of their extensive distribution networks. This enables them to ensure the presence of the likes of Twizzlers and Red Vines in supermarkets and convenience stores for the customers. To keep their market shares, these players put the pricing, seasonal limited editions, and family-pack volumes on a competitive edge aggressively. On the contrary, the premium segment accounts for a handful of specialized European manufacturers such as Haribo and Lakrids by Bülow that compete on authenticity. The use of pure licorice root extract and ingenious flavor combinations are what they rely on to attract adult consumers. Moreover, the market is witnessing a "better-for-you" category war. Newcomers challenge incumbents with sugar-free, plant-based, and functional formulations, thus, established giants have to acquire or innovate to remain relevant.
SkyQuest’s ABIRAW (Advanced Business Intelligence, Research & Analysis Wing) is our Business Information Services team that Collects, Collates, Correlates, and Analyses the Data collected by means of Primary Exploratory Research backed by robust Secondary Desk research.
As per SkyQuest analysis, the global licorice candy market is undergoing a dynamic evolution that is marked by both a turn toward contemporary health trends and a nostalgic comeback. The market is changing quickly because people want "better-for-you" candy. This means that products are being reformulated quickly with natural ingredients, organic sweeteners, and functional additives. Even though the industry is facing issues such as unstable sugar prices and health problems related to excessive consumption of glycyrrhizin, it still has a positive long-term perspective. Two of the most important factors behind the rise of the sector are the expansion of the premium gifting segment and the frequent launch of new fruit-flavored and exotic varieties. Besides that, the fast development of e-commerce channels is a great support for niche and artisanal brands. This is making licorice one of the most important candies in the world and increasing competition in the market.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size value in 2024 | USD 1.8 billion |
| Market size value in 2033 | USD 3.28 billion |
| Growth Rate | 6.9% |
| Base year | 2024 |
| Forecast period | 2026-2033 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segments covered |
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| Regions covered | North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA) |
| Companies covered |
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| Customization scope | Free report customization with purchase. Customization includes:-
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Table Of Content
Executive Summary
Market overview
Parent Market Analysis
Market overview
Market size
KEY MARKET INSIGHTS
COVID IMPACT
MARKET DYNAMICS & OUTLOOK
Market Size by Region
KEY COMPANY PROFILES
Methodology
For the Licorice Candy Market, our research methodology involved a mixture of primary and secondary data sources. Key steps involved in the research process are listed below:
1. Information Procurement: This stage involved the procurement of Market data or related information via primary and secondary sources. The various secondary sources used included various company websites, annual reports, trade databases, and paid databases such as Hoover's, Bloomberg Business, Factiva, and Avention. Our team did 45 primary interactions Globally which included several stakeholders such as manufacturers, customers, key opinion leaders, etc. Overall, information procurement was one of the most extensive stages in our research process.
2. Information Analysis: This step involved triangulation of data through bottom-up and top-down approaches to estimate and validate the total size and future estimate of the Licorice Candy Market.
3. Report Formulation: The final step entailed the placement of data points in appropriate Market spaces in an attempt to deduce viable conclusions.
4. Validation & Publishing: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helped us finalize data points to be used for final calculations. The final Market estimates and forecasts were then aligned and sent to our panel of industry experts for validation of data. Once the validation was done the report was sent to our Quality Assurance team to ensure adherence to style guides, consistency & design.
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Global Licorice Candy Market size was valued at USD 1.05 Billion in 2025 and is poised to grow from USD 1.11 Billion in 2026 to USD 1.80 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.50% during the forecast period (2026–2033).
The global licorice candy market competitive landscape in 2025, features two distinct types of players – large confectionery conglomerates on one side and small, health-conscious, artisanal brands on the other. Industry giants such as The Hershey Company and American Licorice Company are leading the way in the mass market with the help of their extensive distribution networks. This enables them to ensure the presence of the likes of Twizzlers and Red Vines in supermarkets and convenience stores for the customers. To keep their market shares, these players put the pricing, seasonal limited editions, and family-pack volumes on a competitive edge aggressively. On the contrary, the premium segment accounts for a handful of specialized European manufacturers such as Haribo and Lakrids by Bülow that compete on authenticity. The use of pure licorice root extract and ingenious flavor combinations are what they rely on to attract adult consumers. Moreover, the market is witnessing a "better-for-you" category war. Newcomers challenge incumbents with sugar-free, plant-based, and functional formulations, thus, established giants have to acquire or innovate to remain relevant. 'The Hershey Company (Twizzlers)', 'American Licorice Company (Red Vines)', 'Haribo GmbH & Co. KG', 'Darrell Lea Confectionery Co. Pty Ltd', 'Cloetta AB', 'Katjes Fassin GmbH + Co. KG', 'Orkla ASA (Panda Licorice)', 'Perfetti Van Melle', 'RJ's Licorice', 'Lakrids by Bülow', 'Gimbal's Fine Candies', 'Jelly Belly Candy Company.'
A trend of health-conscious consumers is to turn down artificial additives, high-fructose corn syrup, and synthetic dyes, which leads to a noticeable shift toward organic and natural licorice products. Producers aiming at meeting the transparency demand are reformulating their products to include real licorice root extract, natural fruit juice colorants, and cane sugar as ingredients. This regulatory push directly boosts the global licorice candy market growth.
Mainstream Adoption of Vegan and Gelatin-Free Formulation: One of the prominent market trends is the rapid reformulation of licorice products in which gelatin and beeswax are removed and plant-based texturizers such as pectin and corn starch are used. This change is made for the increasing vegan community and consumers with ethical dietary restrictions, thus giving these candies to be consumed by a wider audience. This is one of the key trends driving the global licorice candy market.
Why is Europe the Cultural and Commercial Heartland of Licorice?
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