President & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, John Downs shares insights into the evolving $54 billion U.S. confectionery industry
Please introduce yourself and your role at the National Confectioners Association.
I’m John Downs and I serve as the President & CEO of the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the trade organisation for the $54 billion U.S. confectionery industry. At NCA, we serve as the trusted voice and champion for the confectionery industry to ensure chocolate, candy, gum, and mints are celebrated for creating joy and shared moments of happiness around the world.
What are some of the key initiatives taken by The National Confectioners Association to support the confectionery industry?
NCA’s mission is organised around three narrative arcs: Power of Sweet, Always A Treat, and Fun and Unique. Power of Sweet is about communicating the economic impact of the confectionery industry in the United States. Across the country, we employ nearly 60,000 people, and one confectionery manufacturing job supports 11 others in the U.S. economy. Always A Treat is centered around the way chocolate and candy are different from other foods. As the industry works to provide more variety in pack sizes and portion options than ever before, we’re also reminding consumers that our products are treats. Fun and Unique connects consumers’ emotional well-being with their interest in how chocolate and candy can make both special and everyday moments sweeter.
How would you describe the current state of the confectionery industry in the U.S. and globally? What are the biggest opportunities facing confectionery brands today?
To answer this question, I’ll point to our recently-released 2025 State of Treating report, which revealed that sales of chocolate, candy, gum, and mints hit a record-breaking $54 billion in 2024. And with 98% of consumers reporting that they made a confectionery purchase at some point in 2024, it’s clear that people continue to enjoy treating themselves and those around them to chocolate and candy.
It’s well-reported that consumers are concerned about the price of groceries these days. But as they shift their food and beverage spending, they are still leaving room in their budgets for chocolate and candy. It’s an affordable way to make everyday moments a little sweeter, not to mention the special role our favorite treats play during holidays and special occasions. We all look forward to the new and nostalgic products that pop up on store shelves at those times of year – and innovation is an area where confectionery really shines.
Innovation is one of the primary reasons our industry is expected to surpass $70 billion in sales by 2029. Long after today’s inflationary environment has stabilised, chocolate and candy manufacturers will be meeting consumers where they want to be met with fun and unique treats to enhance their celebrations, holidays, and ordinary days.
How is the NCA working to ensure a fair and balanced approach to the regulatory challenges for confectionery producers?
NCA is actively engaged with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, in state houses, and across regulatory agencies to educate on the issues that matter most to our industry and advocate for outcomes that support growth, innovation, and consumer choice. As an industry we are committed to choice, transparency, and safety is our number one priority in all the ingredients we use that are approved by the FDA.
Recently a number of state-level proposals seeking to ban certain FDA-approved food additives or limit access to confectionery products have been proposed. Politics aside, the proliferation of such measures reinforces the need for those with scientific expertise to make these important regulatory decisions. While there is a role for state legislators and public health officials to play in the ongoing conversation about the U.S. food system and nutrition policy, consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA, and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework. Anything less would create a state-by-state patchwork of inconsistent requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence in our food supply.
Sweets & Snacks Expo is one of the biggest industry events hosted by the NCA. How has the event evolved over the years, and what can we expect from this year’s edition?
Sweets & Snacks Expo is the largest candy and snack event in the Americas, and Indianapolis offers the space to provide a best-in-class experience for manufacturers, retailers, brokers, and suppliers. This year, we’re expecting more than 1,000 exhibitors (an estimated one-third of whom are first-timers!) and 14,000 attendees across 250,000 square feet of show floor. It’ll be three action-packed days of trendspotting, education, and relationship-building.
Only at Sweets & Snacks can you see so much innovation in one room, and the show guarantees attendees the opportunity to discover businesses that are just getting started alongside classic and recognisable brands. The Most Innovative New Product Awards are a well-established launchpad for brands looking to reach the next level across a range of categories. Our 5×5 series allows five confectionery and five snack companies from Startup Street to present their products to a panel of retailers and receive feedback in five minutes or less. No matter where you turn, there’s a new and exciting product to discover.
Sweets & Snacks also offers a top-tier education program, with a particular focus on delivering content that addresses topics that are top-of-mind for attendees. This combination of business and camaraderie really sets Sweets & Snacks apart from other shows. We’re planning two special events off the show floor to bring attendees together and create connections that last long after the show closes.
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