Candy Manufacturers NAICS 311340, 311351, 311352

Nov 30, 2025 - Trump Exempts Cocoa From Tariffs

• Cocoa, grown mainly in West Africa, is among the 200-plus agricultural products President Trump exempted from reciprocal tariffs in November, according to the National Confectioners Association (NCA), which applauded the move. Trump’s executive order scrapping the tariffs came amid lingering grocery inflation and growing consumer frustration with the high cost of living. The tariff rollback lowers costs and supply constraints for importers, which should travel through the supply chain to candy manufacturers, retailers, and ultimately consumers. The exemption is good news for The Hershey Company. One of the largest chocolate producers in the world, Hershey reported losing between $160 million and $170 million to the tariffs in the third quarter. Earlier this summer, the company also confirmed its plan to raise prices, citing rising cocoa prices.
• Amid rising consumer concern and regulatory pressure over microplastics in chewing gum, companies are under pressure to reformulate their products, Food Navigator reports. Plastic-free alternatives, based on natural or biodegradable polymers, are gaining traction in response to sustainability concerns and potential legislation restricting microplastic content. For gum manufacturers, this trend has several impacts: they may face R&D costs to develop new formulations that maintain chewability, flavor release, and shelf stability without synthetic polymers; supply-chain adjustments to source natural gums or plant-based alternatives; and potential marketing advantages by promoting environmentally-friendly products. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing shelf space or consumer trust. Overall, the shift toward microplastic-free gum is reshaping production processes, ingredient sourcing, and product positioning in the confectionery sector. As demand for plastic-free gum grows, the global market is expected to grow from $132 million at present to $242 million by 2031, per FN.

• Spending on candy this Halloween is expected to total $3.9 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s up from $3.6 billion in 2024. While inflation-wary consumers are bracing for high candy prices and are visiting discount stores to save money, two-thirds said they still expect to hand out candy. Candy makers are competing for consumers’ dollars. In August, Hershey rolled out its lineup of seasonal treats for Halloween, with new items including Twizzler Ghosts and Hershey’s Nuggets Pumpkin Spice Latte. In May, rival Mars released its “Halfway to Halloween” campaign by unveiling its 2025 holiday candy lineup alongside the second annual Mars Tricks, Treats and Trends report. Americans’ favorite candies are Reese’s Cups, followed by M&M’s, Hot Tamales, and Skittles.
• Producer prices for chocolate and confectionery manufacturers rose 15.4% in August compared to a year ago, after spiking 22% in the previous August-versus-August annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Industry producer prices are at record high levels driven by rising input costs – notably cocoa for chocolate confections. Employment by chocolate and confectionery manufacturers shrank 10.4% year over year in July, while the average wage at food manufacturers rose 2.3% over the same period to a new high of $24.11 per hour, BLS data show. Candy manufacturers are trimming payrolls as wages and input costs reach new highs. In the second quarter, after-tax profits for food companies plummeted 119% compared to a year ago and 119.3% from Q1, according to the Census Bureau.