In past blogs, we’ve explored the best candy in America, the UK, Mexico, Germany, and Australia. But there’s a whole world of candy out there we haven’t talked about yet. So we’ve put together a list of the most popular candy in the world by country. Check out some of the most popular candies in the world and see which ones you recognize!
The US: M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The US just can’t seem to make up its mind about which classic American chocolate treat it prefers – the hard candy-coated pieces you can eat by the handful or delicious creamy peanut butter sandwiched between layers of milk chocolate. Reese’s and M&Ms are locked in a battle for #1 in yearly candy sales, swapping places depending on who you ask.
While a survey conducted by grocery delivery service Instacart reported that Peanut M&Ms and M&Ms made the most sales in 2020, other sources report a tie between M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Both candies routinely show up at the top of surveys of the most popular candy in the US.
Canada: Kit Kats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Americans aren’t the only indecisive candy-lovers. While Kit Kats frequently top lists of the most popular candy in Canada, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups rose to the top in 2019 and 2021, a testament to a growing international appreciation of the humble American peanut.
Mexico and Brazil: Chocolate
According to data released in 2022, the type of candy that made the most sales in Mexico in 2018 was chocolate – 1.5 billion U.S. dollars’ worth. Considering chocolate’s long, rich history in the region, this comes as little surprise. While chocolate might top the charts in terms of sales, though, it represents only a fraction of the amazing world of unique candies Mexico has to offer.
As for Brazil, which is the world’s third-largest market for chocolate confectionery, chocolate not only remains popular but is also getting better in quality. The latter half of the 2010s saw an increase in premium chocolate brand sales. Mondelez remains the company with the most sales in the country, including Lacta Bubbly, one of Brazil’s favorite chocolates.
South Africa: Cadbury Lunch Bar
Chocolate-covered nougat, caramel, biscuit, peanuts, and puffed rice? If only every lunch could be so sweet. As of 2016, this was the top-selling candy in South Africa, though in the past, it’s been beat out by candies sold by Beacon Sweets and Chocolates.
Fun fact: This most popular South African candy is sold as “Picnic” in the UK, where it’s one of the most popular British candies.
UK, Ireland, Australia, and India: Cadbury Dairy Milk
This simple British milk chocolate bar is one of the most popular candies in the world, topping lists of favorite candies in a whopping four countries, including its country of origin.
France: Candy Bars
That’s right – we’re more than halfway through this list and still haven’t ventured from chocolate. Specifically, the trusty chocolate bar (a.k.a. candy bar) was the top category of confectionery in France in 2020, with a sales value of about 1.4 billion euros. With so much amazing European chocolate to choose from, from Cadbury to German and Belgian varieties, it’d be hard to choose anything else!
Germany: Milka
Though many Americans are familiar with the German chocolate Ritter Sport, it’s Milka that takes the cake for most popular candy in the country. This milk chocolate bar and its many varieties also top charts in at least five other countries across Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Five!
Saudi Arabia: Galaxy
Another fun fact for you – this favorite candy of Saudi Arabia is just another name for the Dove bar. In fact, the packaging looks almost identical except for the name, right down to the loopy font.
Russia: Alpen Gold
America has the Hershey bar, the UK has Cadbury Dairy Milk, Germany has Milka, and Russia has Alpen Gold – a massively popular chocolate bar that also tops favorite candy charts in Azerbaijan.
China: Milk Candy
Though chocolate is reasonably popular in China, it doesn’t reign supreme there like it does elsewhere in the world. In 2020 the type of candy that topped sales charts was milk candy, a white, soft, chewy treat that’s predicted to only grow in revenue.
Japan: Meiji
You thought it would be Kit Kats, didn’t you? Though Japan has taken Kit Kat enthusiasm to astronomical levels with its huge variety of creative flavors, the British import is beaten out by the Japanese original, Meiji chocolate.
South Korea: Ghana
Named for the West African country the cacao beans are sourced from, Ghana chocolate is popular throughout Asian countries. Its milk and dark varieties are some of the most popular candies in South Korea.
If that list didn’t make you want to take a world candy tour, we don’t know what would. But no need to break the bank on airfare for the sake of tasting the most popular candy in the world – you can have gourmet candy delivered straight to your door with a Candy Club candy subscription. Living sweetly has never been so easy!
