IndexBox noted the market reached $17.6 billion in 2016, up $819 million — or 5 percent — from 2015. This figure reflects total revenue of producers and importers and excludes logistics costs, retail marketing costs and retailers’ margins.

Osaka, Japan-based Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. will acquire TCHO Ventures, Inc., a San Francisco-area, award-winning craft chocolate company. 

Nestlé S.A. will sell its U.S. confectionery business to Ferrero Group for $2.91 billion (CHF 2.8 billion), the company announced Tuesday.

June is also National Candy Month. While it’s a great excuse to savor some of our favorite treats, it also offers an opportunity to reflect on some of the positive trends and developments in our industry.

Here’s some news to file under “obvious” — people in the United States love chocolate. In fact, they loved it $19.5 billion worth in 2011.