11 Apr Trends in flexible packaging and labels for chocolate and cocoa

• Current situation of the chocolate sector
• Emerging trends in the cocoa industry
• Quality sustainable packaging
• Packaging for chocolate and cocoa: what we do at Rieusset

Current situation of the chocolate sector

In 2023, the chocolate and cocoa sector was slightly affected by the rise in retail prices and declining household income. These factors have led to a 1.5% drop in demand over the past year and have led to significant changes among companies in this sector, which must reinvent themselves and innovate with new products and solutions to attract new audiences.

According to data distributed by Circana, the classic chocolate bars have moved into the background, giving way to other formats such as countlines (full-size and snack-size candy bars) and spreads, whose consumption has increased by 0.7% and 4.1% respectively. This, in turn, has led to a transformation in the packaging of these formats.
 

Emerging trends in the cocoa industry

One of the most noteworthy facts in Alimarket’s annual report on chocolate and cocoa at the national level is the commitment of many companies to transversality. Companies have expanded their lines with products such as soluble cocoa, cookies or different types of snacks, which have experienced great growth in recent years. In particular, products such as dragées (products such as chocolate-covered nuts or chocolate-covered candied fruit), mini chocolate bars and chocolate eggs have reached an impressive consumption of more than two million tons in the last year, standing out for their convenience and ease of consumption.

Demand for chocolate and cocoa products experiences a marked increase during key celebrations such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween. During these times, many companies launch packaging with themed special editions that capture the spirit of the festivities. It is precisely the development of seasonal lines and limited editions that several Spanish companies point out as one of their main sales drivers in the last year. Given this success, brands are exploring the extension of their special editions beyond the traditional holiday seasons. Personalizing labels to dedicate to family or friends is becoming an increasingly popular practice, with a growing number of companies embracing the trend.

Another noteworthy fact is that, in an increasingly active society with more and more commuting and traveling, the demand for snack-size chocolate and cocoa options has increased. As a result, manufacturers are adapting their products to individual formats, using snack-size or twist packs that not only meet the expectations of consumers; but also ensure greater resistance during transport, are easy to carry and practical for consumption in the busy day-to-day life of society.

Alimarket’s report also highlights the growing importance of presentation and packaging in the chocolate consumption experience. Whether it is filled chocolates, chocolate bars, candy bars or cocoa powder, the sensory experience is valued beyond the taste, including the texture and visual appearance of the product. Chocolate is associated with moments of pleasure and enjoyment, and the public increasingly values these multisensory experiences.

Quality sustainable packaging

Chocolate lovers no longer value only the taste of the product but go beyond that and look for a complete sensory experience, which also includes the packaging. In response to this need, we find flexible packaging, labels and sleeves for chocolate packaging that reflect this quality, providing added value, more practicality and the ability to differentiate the product from its competitors with special designs. Supermarket shelves are full of chocolate and cocoa packaging with customized designs and premium graphic resources with matte, satin, gold and silver finishes and high-quality printing that are attractive and convey their premium character.

The importance of this sensory experience also extends to an ethical and ecological dimension. More and more people are looking for vegan chocolates, with fewer additives and of sustainable origin. We live in a society with access to a wealth of information and a greater awareness of health and environmental sustainability. This awareness has created the need for packaging to not only reflect these values in its design, but also to be in line with them through the materials used in its manufacture.

The chocolate sector has experienced a significant growth in the use of paper packaging, recycled and recyclable films and a reduction in the weight of the plastics used. Likewise, reusable packaging such as doypacks or zip bags are highly demanded by chocolate brands.

Packaging for chocolate and cocoa: what we do at Rieusset

At Rieusset we have extensive experience in the printing of packaging for the chocolate and cocoa sector, which enables us to meet the needs and advise on innovations in this industry, ensuring an aesthetic, sustainable and functional cohesion of the different types of packaging. We print and manufacture from labels for spreads and sleeves for cocoa powder to flexible packaging for chocolate bars and candy bars.

In addition to specializing in rotogravure printing, we have a digital printing system with which we can customize and create special editions of any packaging, satisfying the growing demand for personalized products. Or, without customizing, we can offer variations of the original design based on the selected elements so that all of them have a differentiating touch.

At Rieusset we offer sustainable chocolate and cocoa packaging with mono-material solutions, without metallization, paper packaging and 100% recyclable. All our packaging complies with food packaging regulations for being in direct contact with the product and preserve all its qualities, including the aroma, which is essential in chocolate and cocoa.

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