Innovative launches in the chocolate sector remain high

New chocolate product launches in the UK have gone up from 345 in 2007 to 439 in 2008, according to Mintel's latest market report.

In a global context, added the report, almost four in 10 (38%) new chocolate products were launched in Europe.

Premium chocolates, in particular, have dominated launches, especially products that highlight provenance, said Steve Charlton at Mintel. "The trend towards good quality produce is reflective of European consumers' interest in the sourcing and provenance of ingredients. In fact, in the last six months alone almost three quarters of all new organic products and over half of all new Fairtrade products have been launched in Europe."

Reduced sugar chocolate launches rose from just six in 2007 to 26 in 2008, gluten-free chocolate launches from 13 in 2007 to 40 in 2008 and additive-free chocolate from 22 in 2007 to 46 in 2008.

The report also found that British people spend more on chocolate than any other country in Europe. Sales during 2008 reached £3.5bn, the equivalent of £57 per head. Despite the recession, this was a 4% increase on 2007 levels.

The research company predicted that the chocolate market would grow as much as 5.8% in 2009, with year-on-year increases of 5% until 2013 when it said the market would be valued at £4.4bn.