Candy consumption reaches record high.

MCCLEAN, VA - Per capita confectionery consumption in the United States last year reached a record high of 27.3 pounds per person, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau. This is an increase of 1.5 percent per person over 1996.

The average consumer eats 12.1 pounds

In 1997, chocolate and non-chocolate per capita consumption rose by one and 4.1 percent respectively, with chewing gum showing a 5.2 percent decrease.

Also growing was overall consumption to over $15 billion in manufacturers sales. According to the National Confectioners Association (NCA), total confectionery retail sales were estimated to be over $23 billion.

The NCA also estimates chocolate retail sales at $12.8 billion, non chocolate at $7.5 billion and gum at $2.2 billion.