Core Insights - The "China International Candy Season" is a significant event under the framework of the 2025 China International Service Trade Fair, emphasizing the integration of industrial heritage and candy aesthetics [1][2] - The event aims to explore the transformation of the candy industry, highlighting the importance of cultural and emotional attributes in the sector [1][3] Industry Overview - The candy industry is recognized as a vital branch of the food industry, which is a pillar of the national economy, currently at a critical juncture of "inheritance, innovation, and globalization" [1][2] - The overall scale of China's snack food market is projected to grow from 7,845 billion in 2020 to 10,093 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% [3] Market Trends - The share of candy and chocolate within the snack food segment is expected to decrease from 15.2% in 2020 to 14.5% in 2024, although the absolute market size will still grow [3] - Consumer preferences are shifting, with Generation Z favoring personalized and socially engaging products, while the 31-40 age group prioritizes quality and health [3][4] Cultural Integration - Collaborations between candy companies and cultural IPs, such as the Palace Museum and Dunhuang, have seen a premium rate of 40%-60%, enhancing market recognition and promoting modern expressions of traditional culture [4] - The "China International Candy Season" serves as an innovative practice for the integration of the food industry and cultural creative industries, with strategic significance beyond a single cultural event [4]

Core Insights - The report presented at the forum highlights the transformation direction of the candy industry and the integration of the food industry with the cultural and creative industries [1] Group 1: Market Growth - The Chinese leisure food market has shown steady growth, expanding from 784.5 billion yuan in 2020 to 1,009.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% [1] - The share of candy and chocolate within the leisure food segment decreased from 15.2% in 2020 to 14.5% in 2024, although the absolute scale of the segment continues to grow [1] Group 2: Industry Collaboration - The integration of the food industry with the cultural and creative sectors presents significant opportunities, exemplified by the collaboration between candy brands and the game "Black Myth: Wukong," which launched a co-branded gift box "Qitian Lan Yue" [1] - This collaboration model, which deeply integrates packaging, narrative content, and marketing, is expected to drive market growth by 30%, serving as a vital force for industry development [1]

Core Insights - The report highlights the transformation direction of the candy industry and the integration of the food industry with the cultural and creative industries [1] Market Growth - The Chinese leisure food market has shown steady growth, expanding from 784.5 billion yuan in 2020 to 1,009.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% [1] - The share of candy and chocolate within the leisure food segment decreased from 15.2% in 2020 to 14.5% in 2024, although the absolute scale continues to grow [1] Industry Collaboration - The integration of the food industry with cultural and creative sectors presents significant opportunities, exemplified by the collaboration between candy brands and the game "Black Myth: Wukong," which launched a co-branded gift box "Qitian Lan Yue" [1] - This collaboration model, which deeply integrates packaging, narrative content, and marketing, is expected to drive market growth by 30%, serving as a vital force for industry development [1]