The World's Largest Chocolate Producers: A Surprising Top 5
Nestlé, the agri-food giant best known for its cereals rather than its chocolate bars, has been ranked by Forbes as the largest chocolate producer in the world. This top 5 ranking, recently relayed by Forbes Middle East, may come as a surprise due to the absence of certain famous brands like Mars or Ferrero, often cited as top chocolate sellers. The reason lies in the criteria used to establish this ranking, which takes into account the global value of the companies, their financial power, market capitalization, and worldwide presence, rather than just their chocolate sales revenue.
In second place, Mondelez International, owner of iconic brands like Milka, Toblerone, and Côte d'Or, owes its strength to the diversity of its products and its aggressive expansion strategy in emerging markets.
The podium is completed by Lindt, renowned for its Swiss expertise and high-end positioning, which focuses on quality and innovation, achieving continuous growth despite the surge in cocoa prices.
In fourth place, The Hershey Company, an emblem of American chocolate, maintains a prime position thanks to its loyal North American market and flagship brands like Hershey's, Reese's, and Kisses.
Finally, the fifth place goes to a lesser-known but crucial player in the industry: Barry Callebaut. Based in Switzerland, the company is the world's largest industrial chocolate producer, supplying giants like Nestlé and Mondelez in bulk, and playing a key role in the global supply chain.
