Global Top 100 Most Valuable Food Brands 2026 announced
Which food brands are leading the way in 2026? Brand Finance’s latest ranking reveals the biggest names, fastest risers and strongest brands across the global food sector
Mars
Barry Callebaut appoints ex-Mondelēz exec as COO
World’s biggest chocolate maker appoints Thomas Gaengler as chief operating officer, reinstating the role after nearly three years
Godiva turns 100 with star-studded centenary campaign
Luxury chocolate maker marks 100th anniversary with a limited-editions and animated entertainment
Confectionery’s biggest trend? Looking back
From retro packaging to the return of familiar favourites, nostalgia has become one of confectionery’s most powerful growth drivers
Mondelēz accelerates premiumisation drive
From Cadbury and Oreo to Toblerone and Côte d’Or, Mondelēz encourages consumers to trade up as it doubles down on premiumisation
Hershey goes beyond confectionery with biggest ever Halloween push
Hershey goes all-in on Halloween with its largest seasonal range to date, spanning confectionery, savoury snacks and better-for-you
Confectionery fraud surges as manufacturers struggle to stay ahead
Fraudsters target high-value ingredients and premium claims, leaving confectionery manufacturers battling risks from farm to finished product
Cadbury scores Premier League deal as confectionery collaboration craze continues
Cadbury signs Premier League partnership as confectionery collaborations heat up
Cadbury breaks category boundaries with beauty launch
Cadbury joins cross-category collaboration trend with MCoBeauty beauty launch
‘Worth it’ replaces ‘more is more’ as indulgence evolves
Confectionery indulgence is shifting from ‘more is more’ to ‘worth it’ as consumers prioritise quality, experience, wellness and sustainability
Global Top 100 confectionery companies announced
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s 2026 Global Top 100 confectionery list has been revealed
Hershey’s push for premiumisation picks up pace
Hershey’s stepping up its premium ambitions with elevated products, strategic acquisitions and a growing focus on affordable indulgence
Mars at 115: Shaping the future of confectionery
From a small-town America to the world’s biggest confectionery company, Mars mark 115 years of family ownership and industry influence
Mars-Kellanova: What Brussels really decided about brand power
The EU cleared Mars’ $36bn Kellanova deal without conditions and its reasoning reveals how much bargaining power a brand really has left.
The seasonal launch is dead. What comes next?
Faster trend cycles, retailer demands and shrinking product lifecycles are reshaping food and beverage innovation
From Mars to Intersnack: Are family dynasties becoming food’s new dealmakers?
As public markets keep discounting listed food companies, family-controlled giants are stepping in with the patience – and the premiums – to buy them
From Nestlé to Mars: Why Big Food is embracing contract manufacturing
Outsourcing becomes a priority as CPGs seek greater flexibility, speed and resilience
Mars turns mint supply risk into sustainability success
Mars shows how sustainable sourcing can strengthen supply chains with Shubh Mint programme
Mars invests $3m to empower women cocoa farmers
Mars and Save the Children launch major new project to support women in cocoa farming
From Nestlé to Ferrero: Big Food’s consolidation boom
Big Food’s biggest players are using acquisitions and strategic investments to fuel growth and expand their influence, and it’s reshaping the future of the industry
Mars bets on Summerween as Halloween becomes a season
The confectionery giant is producing Halloween candy in the spring and bringing products to shelves in summer as consumers increasingly treat Halloween as a multi-month occasion
Mars cuts jobs as confectionery giant consolidates operations
Mars to close Newark headquarters as it consolidates corporate functions in Chicago
Pladis ramps up regenerative agriculture to safeguard critical supplies
Maker of McVitie’s, Turtles and Godiva unveils new regenerative farming initiative to strengthen supply chains
Barry Callebaut assesses cocoa threat as El Niño intensifies
World’s biggest chocolate producer weighs in on cocoa market concerns as UN issues El Niño warning
Lindt turns Dubai chocolate craze into ice cream
Lindt brings Dubai chocolate trend to ice cream as confectionery brands continue to diversify
Gen Alpha and Beta: Confectionery’s next battleground
Freeze-dried sweets, bold flavours, Roblox activations and AI-powered engagement – the forces reshaping confectionery innovation as brands look beyond Gen Z
Confectionery’s innovation dilemma: Doing more with less
Rising costs, changing consumer demands and fast-moving trends are reshaping confectionery innovation. But what does it take to stand out?
Barry Callebaut returns to growth after two-year slump
Barry Callebaut posts first quarterly volume growth in two years, amid ongoing weakness in the global chocolate market
The alt cocoa boom: Big Chocolate’s new obsession
Volatile cocoa markets and growing supply concerns fuel the rise of alt cocoa as manufacturers fight to futureproof chocolate
How the industry’s biggest player is securing cocoa’s future
Cargill fights to futureproof cocoa as supply threats intensify
Barry Callebaut’s strategic reset under Hein Schumacher
Six months in, Hein Schumacher is focused on profitability, discipline and execution, but can he turn stabilisation into sustainable growth?
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
Mars invests €1.5m in the future of science
Confectionery giant invests €1.5m in young scientists through Mars Impact Fund
Mars’ artificial-dye-free push hits major reformulation hurdles
Mars to introduce artificial-colour-free M&M’s but reformulation challenges leave two colours out in the cold
Lindt hits 100% cocoa milestone amid Big Confectionery sustainability drive
Lindt hits 100% certified cocoa as Big Confectionery shifts focus to responsible sourcing
Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Mars names new digital executive as growth strategy ramps up
Mars hires new CDIO to power growth and fast-track Kellanova integration
Mars vs Hershey: Snickers takes cheeky swipe at Reese’s
Mars turns confectionery rivalry into content gold, with bold new Snickers campaign
Barry Callebaut sharpens strategy amid cocoa volatility
Barry Callebaut shifts strategy with new Focus for Growth plan
Mars doubles down on premiumisation to drive growth
Mars is ramping up its premium strategy as demand for high-quality indulgence accelerates
Mars taps reality TV for experiential M&M’s push
Confectionery brands are ditching traditional ads for immersive experiences as culture‑led campaigns reshape how sweets engage shoppers
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026
4 forces forging the future of sweets and snacks
The latest innovations in candy and snacks reveal how consumers are redefining fun, flavor and function
Wonka returns as Ferrero taps into experiential marketing boom
Ferrero is bringing Wonka back in bold new strategy – blending limited-edition treats, cross-category innovation and a major new Netflix partnership
Mars signals new era for confectionery with bold launches and digital focus
Mars redefines confectionery with innovative flavours, new formats and a digital-first shopping strategy
Mars powers production growth with $253.6m smart factory investment
Mars bets on smart manufacturing, using £190m UK factory upgrade to boost output and strengthen grip on global confectionery and snacking market
Unilever shaken by investor exit as McCormick deal unsettles shareholders
Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest
Mars, Mondelēz, Ferrero, Nestlé and Hershey: Rethinking confectionery innovation
From viral chocolates to cultural collaborations, confectionery innovation is entering a new experience‑led era
Mars: The global heavyweight setting the snacking agenda
The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry
Mars rewrites confectionery marketing playbook with NYX partnership
Confectionery giant Mars signals new era of culture-led marketing campaigns with latest collaboration
Mars takes first step into cocoa-free category
The world’s biggest confectionery company is making its cocoa-free debut