Top Candy Corn Brands for Sweet Tooth Enthusiasts

Candy corn has become a quintessential treat during the autumn season, enchanting many with its vibrant colors and sweet, creamy taste that embodies the spirit of fall festivities. With so many brands producing their own version of this iconic candy, choosing the best one can be a delightful challenge for those with a sweet tooth. Some brands are renowned for their traditional take, while others infuse innovative flavors into this classic confection, creating unique variations that are sure to surprise and satisfy. Below, we will explore some of the best brands for candy corn, highlighting their unique offerings and what makes them stand out in a crowded market.

Illustration of candy corn

Best brands of candy corn in 2025

Brach's

Brach's is the dominant producer of candy corn, churning out approximately 28 million pounds of the treat each year, which accounts for about 90% of the world's candy corn production. The company rakes in $75 million of an $88.5 million candy corn market, as reported in 2022. Brach's has been a staple in the candy industry since 1904 and is now a part of Ferrara Candy Company, a major player in non-chocolate candies. Despite the polarizing nature of candy corn, Brach's continues to innovate with new flavors and seasonal offerings. The company's production is so vast that it produces over 2 billion candy corn kernels annually. For more information on their latest offerings and company insights, visit their official site.

Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly, originally the Goelitz Confectionery Company, has been a prominent producer of candy corn since 1898, making it the company with the longest history of manufacturing this treat in the United States. Although Brach's now dominates the market with 85% of the candy corn industry share during Halloween, Jelly Belly still produces high-quality candy corn year-round. Each kernel of Jelly Belly's candy corn contains just over 4 calories, and a one-ounce serving has 110 calories. The company's candy corn is certified OU Kosher, fat-free, gluten-free, and made in a peanut-free factory. With about 9 billion kernels of candy corn sold annually, Jelly Belly remains a significant player in the candy corn market.

Zachary Confections

Zachary Confections is a renowned producer of high-quality candy corn, having expanded into the sugar confections business in 2002. This Indiana-based company, with roots in Chicago, the Candy Capital of the World, has been a trusted name for over 60 years. Their candy corn, made with real honey, offers a smooth and velvety texture, and is produced using ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and natural flavors. Zachary Confections supplies many of the largest retailers and specialty stores, ensuring high-quality standards in their 100% American-made products. Their central Indiana location allows them to meet seasonal and everyday demand efficiently across the country.

Goelitz Confectionery Company

The Goelitz Confectionery Company, now known as Jelly Belly, has been a premier producer of candy corn since circa 1898, with a history spanning over 125 years. This company is credited with mass-producing candy corn, helping to solidify its status as a seasonal treat, particularly around Halloween. Goelitz Confectionery Company's candy corn production has been continuous, making it the longest-running producer of this candy in the United States. The company's candy corn is made in a painstaking process involving three colored layers, and it remains a staple with about 9 billion kernels sold annually. Today, Jelly Belly Candy Company sells candy corn year-round, though it is most popular in autumn. For more details about their candy corn, visit the Jelly Belly Candy Corn page.

SweetGourmet

SweetGourmet, though not the dominant player, is a notable producer of candy corn, known for its high-quality ingredients and traditional manufacturing process. The global candy corn market, valued at USD 25 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% until 2030, with major players like Brach's holding 85% of the market share. SweetGourmet's products, while not as widely produced as Brach's 7 billion pieces annually, are appreciated for their nostalgic flavor and texture, similar to the original recipe developed in the late 1880s. Candy corn remains a seasonal staple, especially around Halloween, with 17,000 tons produced each year. SweetGourmet's commitment to using sugar, corn syrup, and other traditional ingredients maintains the classic taste and texture of this iconic treat.

Gimbals Fine Candies

Gimbals Fine Candies, although not specifically known for candy corn, is a renowned brand in the candy industry, particularly for its all-natural licorice products. However, for candy corn, Goelitz Confections (now part of the Jelly Belly Candy Company) is a prominent producer, having started making candy corn in 1898. Goelitz's candy corn production involves a meticulous process, including a wet mixture called slurry, and the use of marshmallow to achieve the distinctive texture. Each piece of candy corn is deposited into dry starch in wooden trays and layered with colored sugar to maintain the iconic yellow, orange, and white colors. Over 20 million pounds of candy corn are sold at Halloween, highlighting its popularity.

Sathers

Sathers, although not the dominant player in the candy corn market, has a significant history in the confectionery industry. However, it is Brach's, now part of Ferrara Candy Co., that dominates the candy corn market, producing roughly 90% of the 35 million pounds of candy corn each year. Brach's, which began candy corn production in 1920, churns out 28 million pounds of candy corn annually, generating $75 million of an $88.5 million market in 2022. The company's dominance is due to its long-standing presence and innovative flavor introductions. Despite Sathers' contributions to the candy industry, Brach's remains the leader in candy corn production.

Coastal Bay Confections

Coastal Bay Confections, although not the dominant producer of candy corn, is noted for its quality candies. However, the majority of candy corn, especially for trick-or-treaters, is produced by Brach's Confections, which accounts for 85% of the candy corn market and manufactures over 7 billion individual pieces annually. Coastal Bay Confections does appear in safety analyses for lead content in candies, but it is not specifically highlighted for candy corn production.

Wonder Food

Candy corn, a beloved Halloween treat, is predominantly produced by well-known brands such as Brach and Ferrara Candy. The global candy corn market, valued at USD 25 billion in 2022, is projected to reach USD 32.67 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.4%. Brach, a major player, launched a new turkey dinner flavored variant of candy corn in October 2021, which garnered significant attention. The production process, known as "corn starch modeling," involves machines that replace the original handmade method, ensuring a consistent and high-quality product. The market is largely dominated by North America, with the United States and Canada being the major contributors. For an interesting insight into candy corn, visit Can You Grow Candy Corn? on Wonderopolis.

Albanese Candy

Albanese Candy, founded in 1983 by Scott Albanese, is renowned for its high-quality gummies and chocolate-covered goods, but it is not specifically known for producing candy corn. The company is celebrated for its innovative gummy products, selling over 300,000 pounds of gummy bears daily and shipping to 41 countries. In 1998, Albanese developed a unique technology to enhance flavor release from gelatins, a process used by only three candy-makers in the U.S. The company has received several awards, including the 2006 Professional Candy Buyer's Product of the Year award and the 2020 NEXTY Consumer Choice Award for its Ultimate 8 Flavor Gummi Bears. As of 2022, Albanese Candy employs roughly 700 workers.