Rising chocolate consumption in urban and semi-urban areas of India will likely push the country's chocolate market above the Rs 7,500-crore mark by 2015, a study by industry body Assocham said.

As per Assocham (the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India), the Indian chocolate market is currently at around Rs 4,500-crore mark.

D S Rawat, secretary general of Assocham, said the consumption of chocolates is currently registering a compound annual growth rate of 25 per cent.

Speaking on the topic, Rawat said, "The consumption of chocolates is steadily increasing in urban and semi-urban areas, registering a compound annual growth rate of 25 per cent. It is expected to cross Rs 7,500 crore by 2015."

Rawat added that the demand of chocolates has already jumped by 35 per cent compared to the previous year, thanks to higher demand ahead of festive season. He noted that people in urban areas are shifting from traditional sweetmeats to chocolates.

More than 65 per cent of chocolate consumption is being registered from urban areas of the country.

Besides, increasing income levels coupled with reasonable pricing of chocolates are helping the market to grow at an unprecedented rate.