The chocolate and confectionery products industry has traditionally been subject to significant fluctuations in demand.Chocolate is a key ingredient in many foods such as milk shakes, candy bars, cookies and cereals.Chocolates are the favourite item of children. Its primary feature is that it is solid at room temperature of 20 - 25 deg. C and yet melts rapidly in the mouth at 37 deg. C giving a liquid, which appears smooth to the tongue.
It is expected that India chocolate industry will be growing at the CAGR 23% by volume between the years 2013-2018 and reach at 3,41,609 Tons.The dark chocolates are expected to account for the larger market share when compared to milk and white chocolates in the coming years.The India Chocolate market is expected to reach USD 5.01 billion by 2023.This facilitates the development of new technologies and ensures a high quality product.
Few Indian major players are as under
· Barista Coffee Co. Ltd.
· Baroda Agro Inds. Ltd.
· Candico (I) Ltd.
· Cocoa Products & Beverages Ltd.
· Fresh & Honest Cafe Ltd.
· Gandour India Food Processing Pvt. Ltd.