Luxury Confectionery: Why High-End Candy adn Chocolate Are Trending
Table of Contents
Published:
In an era where a single serving of pork belly can cost upwards of ₩20,000 and a bowl of jajangmyeon reaches ₩7,500,a new trend is emerging: the embrace of premium candies and chocolates. Despite their hefty price tags, these luxury snacks are gaining immense popularity, particularly among the MZ generation (Millennials and Generation Z) who are eager to share their experiences on social media. This isn’t about value for money; it’s about indulging in small luxuries and showcasing them online.
Global Flavors, Local Cravings: The International Candy Craze
The demand for unique and exotic candies is soaring.Consider the buzz around Swedish candy, popularized by a viral TikTok video featuring a New York candy store. These soft, chewy treats, primarily sourced through overseas retailers due to limited official distribution in Korea, command prices of ₩40,000 to ₩50,000 per 500g.
Similarly, silky Gem’s Crystal clusters, dubbed “eating jewelry” for their crystalline appearance and crunchy texture, have captured the attention of confectionery enthusiasts. While a set retails for approximately $35 in the US, Korean consumers are willing to pay around ₩100,000 to acquire these shimmering sweets.
Consumers tend to be willing to pay for premium products that minimize quality raw materials,high cacao content,and artificial additives.
Modor Intelligence, Korean Chocolate market Size and Call Analysis
The “Dubai Chocolate” phenomenon, sparked by a TikTok video that garnered over 60 million views, highlights the power of social media in driving confectionery trends. This treat, featuring pistachio cream and kadayif pastry from the UAE brand Fix dessert Chocolatier, originally priced around 65 dirhams (approximately ₩25,000) locally, was resold for two to three times that amount due to high demand.
The premium chocolate market is experiencing substantial growth. Market research firm Horizon Grand View Research estimates that the Korean premium chocolate market reached approximately $230 million last year and projects a rise to around $299.6 million by 2030. This translates to an anticipated average annual growth rate of 8.4% from this year to 2030.
modor Intelligence attributes this growth to consumers’ pursuit of “small luxuries” and their preference for high-quality ingredients.This trend reflects a willingness to invest in premium products that prioritize superior raw materials, high cacao content, and the absence of artificial additives.
Buffett’s Endorsement: A Century of Sweet Success
US chocolate and candy brand See’s Candies remains a popular choice among domestic consumers seeking “small luxuries,” even at elevated prices. A box of See’s Candies “Lollipop Audid” sells for ₩47,000 for 12 pieces, while the “awesome Nut & Cuba chocolate Bar” costs ₩65,000 for eight. Founded in Los Angeles in 1921, See’s Candies is also known as “Buffett Candy” sence it was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett prominently displays See’s Candies products alongside Coca-Cola at the annual shareholders’ meeting, demonstrating his affection for the brand.
