Irving, Texas/PRNewswire -- The U.S. chocolate industry is expected to reach an estimated value of $19.3 billion by 2018. The major drivers of the chocolate industry are increasing consumer expenditure, and innovation with increasing use nutritional ingredients in chocolates. Seasonal and festive sales also impacts the selling and production of chocolate. Increasing usage of chocolates in different applications such as facial cream, pharmaceuticals, and beverage markets, will further drive this industry.

Lucintel, a global management consulting and market research firm, has analyzed the U.S. chocolate Industry by product type for its report, "U.S. Chocolate Industry Analysis and Outlook 2013-2018." This market report provides an analysis of the U.S. chocolate industry, including the market trend, company profiles, cost structure, growth opportunities, key drivers, and emerging trends of the market.  The study also includes the U.S. chocolate industry trends and forecasts through 2018, segmented by product type such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.

On the basis of its research, Lucintel forecasts that majority of the segments for the U.S. chocolate industry will grow moderately during 2013-2018. The milk chocolate segment is growing at a greater pace than white chocolate and dark chocolate segments. Innovation in chocolates such as nutritional chocolate for health conscious consumer will boost the market.