Buzz
Wherever you travel, finding a delicious candy bar is rarely a challenge. While the sweets you encounter overseas might differ from those at your local shop, they are equally irresistible. Explore the favorite candies that people in 20 countries around the world love to enjoy.
1. THAILAND // KIT KAT
Thailand's chocolate consumption is notably lower compared to other countries. Yet, when they do treat themselves, Kit Kat is their go-to choice. This chocolate bar tops the list as the most popular candy in the country (excluding cough drops, where Halls takes the lead).
2. UK // CADBURY DAIRY MILK
Cadbury
In 2014, Cadbury generated nearly $527 million in sales from its iconic Dairy Milk bars. What sets Cadbury Dairy Milk apart from other European favorites is its uniquely creamy and “milkier” flavor, which contrasts with the typical preferences for milk chocolate on the continent [PDF].
3. TURKEY // ÜLKER
Ülker
Ülker, part of the same company that owns Godiva, proudly claims the title of “Turkey’s most beloved chocolate.” The brand captures around 50% of the nation’s chocolate and biscuit market annually. Offering a wide range of products, Ülker’s chocolates come in various forms, including bars stuffed with wafers, caramel, and pistachios.
4. CHINA // DOVE
Dove
In China, Dove, a candy brand with American roots, dominates the market. It accounts for a staggering 34 percent of the country’s total chocolate sales. To illustrate, China was expected to consume an enormous 220,700 tons of chocolate in the past year.
5. GERMANY // MILKA
Milka
Milka chocolate bars were first introduced in Berlin in 1901 [PDF], but it wasn’t until the 1960s that they became Germany’s top-selling candy. Today, they generate over $730 million annually, surpassing Lindt, the second-place brand, by more than $230 million. The iconic mauve packaging, featuring a cow against snowy mountains, has remained unchanged since the brand’s inception.
6. BRAZIL // LACTA
Lacta
For the past 100 years, Lacta has dominated Brazil’s chocolate market. Among its popular products are the aerated “Bubbly” bar and a white chocolate variant filled with Oreo pieces.
7. POLAND // PTASIE MLECZKO
Cadbury
Poland’s top-selling candy is this airy delight from Cadbury [PDF]. Ptasie Mleczko features a soft, meringue-like core enveloped in a smooth chocolate shell. Its name, meaning “Bird's Milk,” originates from a Slavic folktale where a princess challenges her suitors to find bird’s milk, an impossible task symbolizing rarity and value. The candy’s name also nods to its key ingredients: eggs and milk.
8. SOUTH KOREA // GHANA CHOCOLATES
Lotte
Ghana chocolates derive their name from the West African nation where their cacao beans are harvested. Known for their rich, velvety texture, these chocolates have become a beloved treat across Asia, particularly in South Korea, where the brand dominates the confectionery market.
9. INDIA // CADBURY DAIRY MILK
Although Cadbury is rooted in the UK, its Indian operations have thrived since 1948. Between 2010 and 2015, India experienced the fastest growth in chocolate sales globally. Cadbury Dairy Milk alone holds nearly 41 percent of the market share in India’s chocolate industry.
10. DENMARK // HARIBO
Haribo
Denmark stands out as one of the rare nations favoring gummies over chocolate. Haribo, renowned for its gummy bears, also offers licorice, gummy worms, and a variety of other sweets. Danes are among the world’s top candy consumers, averaging 18 pounds per person annually—double the European average. This trend is linked to the Danish concept of hygge, meaning “coziness,” which involves enjoying treats with family and friends during the long, chilly winters.
11. JAPAN // KIT KAT
Nestle
Although Meiji leads as Japan’s top-selling chocolate brand, Kit Kat stands out as the nation’s most beloved individual chocolate snack. While Americans know Kit Kat for its classic taste, Japan offers over 80 unique flavors, such as strawberry cheesecake, purple sweet potato, and even wasabi.
12. ISRAEL // ELITE
Strauss Group
Elite brand chocolate is a powerhouse in Israel’s confectionery market. Established in 1934 by a Jewish-Russian immigrant, the brand has become a childhood favorite for generations. Among its top products is Pesek-zman, a hazelnut cream-filled treat similar to a Kit Kat, which has even inspired its own ice cream version.
13. SOUTH AFRICA // CADBURY DAIRY MILK
Cadbury
In South Africa, a former British colony, Cadbury Dairy Milk reigns as the most beloved chocolate. The Cadbury Lunch Bar is a standout, with around 300,000 bars sold daily. Other favorites include Dairy Milk Wholenut and Dairy Milk Top Deck.
14. ICELAND // PRINCE POLO
Olza
A top export from Poland, this chocolate-coated wafer bar is Iceland’s favorite candy. During a period of strict import restrictions decades ago, Prince Polo was the sole foreign candy available in Iceland. Former Icelandic Prime Minister Olafur Ragnar Grimsson remarked during his 1999 visit to Poland that an entire generation grew up on this treat. Today, Icelanders consume an estimated over a pound of Prince Polo per person annually.
15. SAUDI ARABIA // GALAXY
Galaxy
In Saudi Arabia, Dove Chocolate is marketed as Galaxy, a name also used in the UK. The two products are nearly identical, sharing the same design and taste. In 2014, the brand strengthened its presence in Saudi Arabia by opening a $60 million chocolate factory. Alongside classic bars, Galaxy aims to introduce new flavors like “Cookie Crumble” to the region.
16. RUSSIA // ALPEN GOLD
Alpen Gold
Russians’ top choice for candy is this widely loved chocolate bar series. Available in milk, dark, and white chocolate, the bars often feature luxurious ingredients like hazelnuts, coffee beans, liqueur, and other indulgent fillings.
17. CHILE // AMBROSOLI
Ambrosoli
Although Ambrosoli originated in Italy, its candies have gained immense popularity in Chile. The brand now produces a wide range of chocolates, caramels, and fruit-flavored sweets in this South American nation.
18. BELGIUM // CÔTE D’OR
CÔTE D’OR
Chocolate enjoys global popularity, and Belgium is no different. By 2012, Côte d’Or was selling over 600 million chocolates annually to Belgians [PDF]. The bars come in multiple variants, featuring fillings like marzipan, praline, or cranberry.
19. CANADA // KIT KAT
Nestle
Kit Kat bars are not only cherished domestically and internationally but are also a top choice in Canada. Sold in over 100 countries, Kit Kats are so popular that Nestlé reports 700 Kit Kat fingers are eaten every second.
20. U.S. // M&Ms
Wikimedia Commons
The U.S., the world’s largest chocolate market, sees a significant portion of its chocolate sales in colorful candy-coated form. M&Ms lead as America’s best-selling candy, with annual sales reaching $673.2 million. Reese’s peanut butter cups, a close contender, secure the second spot.
