Sweet temptations
Lovers of chocolate, gummy bears and potato chips have all turned their eyes on Cologne. Manufacturers at the ISM, the world's largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, are promoting themselves with new delicacies.
Crazy varieties
Mint-flavored popcorn, anyone? Or how about coconut-caramel, lemon, chocolate and ginger? Flavored puffed corn is one of the strangest novelties at this year's international confectionery fair (ISM) in Cologne. Some 37,000 trade visitors are expected between Sunday and Wednesday (31.01.–03.02.2016).
More and more sweets
New brands have a reasonably good chance of success, because demand for sweets and snacks is rising, albeit slowly. According to figures from the trade association, Germans ate more than 32 kilos (70.5 lb) per head in 2015. Perhaps this fruit gum with added caffeine can have a share in that market?
Treats from all over the world
The world's biggest confectionery fair boasts a total of 1,600 exhibitors from 65 countries. This year's partner country is France, which is represented by a particularly wide range of products. A trade fair for snack industry suppliers is taking place alongside the ISM, so for these four days Cologne is synonymous with calories.
Perennial favorite
Chocolate is still the top favorite for Germans. This year they spent just under 110 euros ($119) per head on sweets, and more than 45 euros of that went on chocolate. German consumers are especially keen on milk chocolate, whereas in France or Italy dark chocolate, which contains a higher percentage of cocoa, is more popular.
Healthy and sporty
Can sweets really be healthy? The manufacturers are doing their best to convince us, as for example with these confections and chocolate wafers. They're filled with so-called superfoods: goji berries, matcha or baobab powder, and chia seeds.
Packed with vitamins
These fruit gums are available with zinc and vitamin A, or with calcium and vitamin D. They're supposed to help strengthen the eyes and the bones. As well as vitamin products like these, there are also lots of new, vegan delicacies at this year's ISM. Organic and fairtrade products are also trendy.
Slight crunch
Like chocolate, potato chips are also still very popular. Despite a slight increase in overall consumption, the German confectionery industry, which employs around 50,000 people, is calling 2015 a "mediocre year." This is because high prices for raw materials - nuts and cocoa butter, for example - have affected profits.
Good prospects
Nonetheless, experts predict that 2016 will be a very good year for the confectionery industry. There are, after all, two major events coming up - the UEFA European Championship in football, and the Olympic Games - that will have plenty of people glued to the sofa. And they're going to need snacks to keep them going.
Lovers of chocolate, gummy bears and potato chips have all turned their eyes on Cologne. Manufacturers at the ISM, the world's largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, are promoting themselves with new delicacies, from mint popcorn to wine gums for better vision.