As the Modi-Meloni ‘Melodi’ moment went viral, Indian toffee makers turned domestic attention to the country’s surging caramel and confectionery market, which offers far more than just Melody toffee.Melody may have had its moment in the sun after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a packet to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, but India’s export data for toffees, caramels and similar sweets show many products are already topping global charts.The Commerce Ministry data show that demand for Indian toffees grew 166 per cent, from Rs 49.68 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 132 crore in 2025-26.“India’s toffee tale would surely be a melody to the ears. Exports have grown nearly 166 per cent since 2013-14,” Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said today.Parle Products, the maker of Melody, says its confectionery products, including Melody, have a major international presence. Melody alone is exported to 100 countries.Overall, India exports large quantities of candies and toffees worldwide, especially to Africa, the Middle East and neighbouring Asian countries.Milk toffees such as Kismi-type toffees and creamy caramel candies are among India’s most exported sweets. Caramel toffees, brown chewy candies with a caramel flavour, are very popular in Africa, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.Major buyers of Indian toffees include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal and Tanzania. Africa remains one of the biggest markets for Indian candies.