The National Confectioners Association has revealed that an overwhelming 91 percent of Americans plan to share their favourite confectionery treats with family, friends and others during the 2022 Easter season, which will earn the sector several billion dollars in sales, the NCA claims.

Additionally, more than 90 percent of Americans who make Easter baskets plan to include chocolate and confectionery in their baskets, according to NCA.

“Many traditions during the Easter season give Americans a chance to celebrate spring with their family, friends and loved ones – something many of us are craving after countless special moments and holidays apart,” John Downs, president & CEO of NCA, said.

“Sharing a little bit of confectionery is a time-honoured tradition this time of year and an important consideration for consumers when they purchase chocolate and candy.”

The Easter season is a very important time for the confectionery industry, totalling about $4 billion in sales in 2021 alone. 2022 Easter confectionery sales are expected to be five to seven percent higher, building off the record-setting sales seen in 2021 thanks to a longer lead-up to the Easter holiday and consumer enthusiasm for extending seasonal celebrations.

As revealed in NCA’s 2022 State of Treating report, consumers also turn to confectionery during seasonal celebrations like Easter to share their enthusiasm with loved ones and support their own emotional well-being, with 72 percent of consumers saying they feel their physical health and emotional well-being are connected.

The type of confectionery included in Easter baskets varies widely. Just under half (44 percent) of those surveyed say the best Easter treats are chocolate eggs and bunnies, while 20 percent prefer jelly beans in their Easter baskets. Candy-coated eggs (18 percent) and marshmallow candies (15 percent) round out Americans’ top four favourite Easter basket items.

84 percent of Americans agree that chocolate and candy are a fun and important part of special celebrations and traditions like Easter. People in the US enjoy chocolate and candy two to three times per week the association claims, averaging about 40 calories per day and one teaspoon of added sugar per day from confectionery items. It’s probably fair to say that those averages will be somewhat skewed over Easter weekend, which begins next week on 15 April 2022.