According to the Mexican Chamber of Food-Processing Industry, Mexico is the third largest consumer of candy in America, just behind the United States and Brazil. The Mexicans average consumption of sweets is 4.5 kilograms every year, which is a very good deal for the confectionary industry of Mexico.
Beyond the Mexican borders, Mexican candies are valued as well. The Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service of Mexico (SIAP, by its Spanish acronym) informed, for example, that confectionary’s exportation in 2020 was worth 744 million dollars; meanwhile, chocolate’s exportation profited 641 million dollars in the same period.
Then, are the traditional Mexican candies extending their international presence too?
The answer is yes. These traditional candies are searched by many people all around the world.
For example, the cajeta1 generated an annual income of more than 2 million dollars in 2017, and it was consumed in more than 15 countries, according to the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service of Mexico.
On the other hand, the National Service of Health, Safety and Quality of Mexico (Senasica, by its Spanish acronym) informed that the gross Mexican production of cacao was 31 tons in 2022. Asia and the Arab countries were the most interested customers in buying part of this production.
The traditional Mexican candies were declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2010. These sweets are very solid products due to their particular and unique flavors. That is why investing in the different ways of selling and distributing them, including online sales, supports the growth of the whole confectionary industry itself.
Originally posted in November 2019
Updated in April 2023.
1. Caramelized milk, milk candy or milk jam in English, is a confection popular in Latin America prepared with sugar and milk boiled for several hours. The resulting matter is spreadable, sauce-like consistency, and it has a rich savor and colour.
