M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Healthy snacking worldwide - statistics & facts
Snacking, which was already a rapidly increasing habit, has only accelerated over the past few years. What's more, consumers are now becoming more aware that their food choices have a social and environmental impact, a fact only exacerbated by recent global crises. As such, historical snacking trends – mainly pleasure and practicality – must now coexist with newer requirements, such as nutrition and sustainability, which manufacturers sometimes struggle to meet.
On the journey towards finding snacks with nutritional benefits, high-protein levels, free-from products, and customizability are highly coveted characteristics. Indeed, consumers wish to address specific concerns such as digestion, immunity, weight loss, etc.
Last but certainly not least comes the challenge of taste. Consumers are effectively refusing to choose between pleasure and nutrition, but are searching for snacks that are both good for their taste buds as well as their health. In other words, many are on a quest for guilt-free indulgence. However, such demands are not simple to answer for manufacturers, who constantly have to adapt their offers as a result.
Nonetheless, despite these challenges, the segment keeps growing, and the global healthy snack market is expected to reach 152.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. Such top-grossing opportunities have not gone unnoticed by key agri-food companies. In a strategic move, Mars acquired KIND International in 2020, while in early 2021, Mondelēz International took over Hu Master Holdings - a company originally known for its vegan and paleo chocolate bars.
These are but a few of the recent acquisitions made by key players in the snack market, and the fact that such industry giants are delving into better-for-you options is clear proof of the significance of this trend.
Between nutritional and emotional balance
In the face of global uncertainty, snacking has provided comfort, connection, and community. The challenge for consumers has been to balance these moments of respite with some level of nutritional awareness. Yet, shoppers are far from clueless, and some are even actively educating themselves. Indeed, gone are the times when people did not know nor care what they put in their bodies. Consumers have now realized they can lean on snacks to achieve their health and/or fitness goals.On the journey towards finding snacks with nutritional benefits, high-protein levels, free-from products, and customizability are highly coveted characteristics. Indeed, consumers wish to address specific concerns such as digestion, immunity, weight loss, etc.
Last but certainly not least comes the challenge of taste. Consumers are effectively refusing to choose between pleasure and nutrition, but are searching for snacks that are both good for their taste buds as well as their health. In other words, many are on a quest for guilt-free indulgence. However, such demands are not simple to answer for manufacturers, who constantly have to adapt their offers as a result.
When opportunity rhymes with challenge
In short, today's snack manufacturers must deliver on health, convenience, and taste, which is not an easy feat. Indeed, preservative-free fruit-based snacks, for instance, are complex and expensive to produce. Furthermore, maintaining an attractive consistency has proven to be a difficult task. Removing fats and sugars affects the ingredients’ moisture retention and binding powers, which also affects the product’s texture.Nonetheless, despite these challenges, the segment keeps growing, and the global healthy snack market is expected to reach 152.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. Such top-grossing opportunities have not gone unnoticed by key agri-food companies. In a strategic move, Mars acquired KIND International in 2020, while in early 2021, Mondelēz International took over Hu Master Holdings - a company originally known for its vegan and paleo chocolate bars.
These are but a few of the recent acquisitions made by key players in the snack market, and the fact that such industry giants are delving into better-for-you options is clear proof of the significance of this trend.
