Confectionery grows in year of uncertainty.

DESPITE UNCERTAINTY AROUND the world with the war in Iraq, the U.S. presidential election, high oil prices and a slowdown in the Western European economy, the American economy and the U.S. confectionery industry posted solid growth in 2004. The continued expansion of the U.S. economy through 2004 led to increased consumer spending on confectionery.

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U.S. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

The United States gross domestic product increased 4.4 percent in 2004, a significant increase over the 3 percent gains in 2003 and 2.2 percent in 2002.