Miriam Tuomey, Consumer Foods Division, Bord Bia
Confectionery, both chocolate and sugar confectionery are set for growth in the next number of years according to a report by Business Insights. They suggest that consumers are seeking comfort from the recession with the simple joys of everyday confectionery all along the spectrum up to and including splashing out on the affordable luxury of some premium chocolate (albeit in smaller boxed quantities). The key trends as identified by Business Insights for the next 5- 10 years are highlighted in the graphic. 
Markets such as Turkey, Croatia and Russia are set to grow by 25% to 2012. China and India also seem to have considerable growth potential, although they are still at the relatively early stages of development.
Hertiage & Providence can give a chocolate a premium status by stating the country of origin or even a single estate Coco bean. Health & functional chocolate claims are being added to chocolate with high coco content and the addition of superfruits such as gogi berries. However, legislation on health claims is likely to play a key role in determining claims being made.
Collegen infused confectionery has been accecptable in Japan, however it has yet to be seen if it is accecpted by consumers in the US and Europe.
Fair trade and organic have been victims of the current economic uncertainity. However, fair trade is becoming more main stream with Cadburys adopting it across the dairy milk range. Areas of potential within premium are innovative flavour combinations, replicating traditional recipes & production methods and retro positioning.
Sugar confectionery companies are now trending towards the use of real fruit flavourings as this allows them to make a natural claim and demand a premium positioning. Likewise, the chilli chocolate phenomena is gathering momentum with more unusal combinations expected in the future.
Cereal bars are seen to offer the largest growth potential with additional ingredients such as guarana offering growth in the sports and energy bar sub category.