By Oliver Nieburg+

Last updated the 26-Jun-2014 at 13:07 GMT

The personalized confectionery market reached an estimated worth of over $12bn in 2013, according to market research firm Canadean.

The intelligence company said that new technologies had allowed large confectioners to tailor products to consumers' individuality, helping the market to grow.

For example, Cadbury Australia's ‘Joy Generator' allows consumers to purchase a Dairy Milk bar that matches their personality based on their Facebook profiles likes and interests. The company has attracted consumers with a Joy Generator machine on the streets of Sydney and plans an app on the Cadbury Dairy Milk Facebook page.

Canadean also flagged Hershey's partnership with 3D Systems to create 3D-printed chocolate as another technology that could lead to ultra-personalization quicker and easier than ever before.

Catherine O'Connor, senior analyst at Canadean, said: “3D printing is fast becoming a game-changer for the confectionery industry. Over 7% of confectionery consumption globally is driven by consumers' search for products that are personalised to them, and companies can use new technologies to offer consumers a choice that literally reflects their image, such as their face printed in chocolate, or an edible replica of their own design.”She added that consumers were prepared to pay more for personalized products and that the trend could boost brand loyalty.

研究預估：全球客製化糖果市場總值達 120 億美元

據市調公司 Canadean 研究預估，由於 3D 列印技術協助糖果公司滿足客製化的消費者需求，使 2013 年全球客製化糖果市場總值超過 120 億美元。例如糖果品牌 Cadbury Dairy Milk 的 Facebook 頁面，可提供消費者選擇喜愛設定製作的個性化商品；巧克力商 Hershey's 也與 3D Systems 公司合作，以更快速方便列印客製化巧克力商品。研究指出，有超過 7%的消費者尋求個性化產品服務，願意為新穎性及體驗支付更多費用，這樣的消費趨勢亦會提高品牌忠誠度。 

中文訊息提供者：食品所 趙婉君