U.S. snack foods industry - statistics & facts
The snack foods industry is responsible for producing many products that are consumed daily in the United States. Indeed, as around half of the population declares eating snacks as a meal replacement both at home and at work, snacking truly is an integral part of the day.
All things considered, there currently is an apparent duality in snacking behaviors across the nation. On the one hand, some consumers are leaving health and wellness behind, focusing more on comfort and indulgence to get through uncertainty. And on the other hand, the health concerns brought about by the pandemic have motivated some consumers to favor healthier snacks. As experts are starting to talk about a return to normalcy, the snacking trends developed during the health crisis are bound to be impacted.
U.S. savory snack market
Naturally, the snack food industry is very competitive. With sales expected to reach over 32.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, savory snacks represent a significant segment of the market. Potato chips often come to mind when thinking about snacks and are a major part of the snack food market. Frito-Lay products Lay's and Ruffles dominate the potato chip market in the U.S. Frito-Lay is a subsidiary of food and beverage giant PepsiCo, Inc.. Some of PepsiCo's other popular snack brands include Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos.Sweet snacks
Cookies and crackers are also major players on the market; a fact made even more true during the recent pandemic. Indeed, alongside other "comforting snacks", cookies witnessed a 20.3 percent sales growth during these unprecedented times.A focus on health?
Nonetheless, while more indulgent snacks continuously enjoy monetary success, snacks focusing on nutrition and health are gaining increasing traction. Recently, plant-based snacks have recorded a 15 percent growth in sales, for example.All things considered, there currently is an apparent duality in snacking behaviors across the nation. On the one hand, some consumers are leaving health and wellness behind, focusing more on comfort and indulgence to get through uncertainty. And on the other hand, the health concerns brought about by the pandemic have motivated some consumers to favor healthier snacks. As experts are starting to talk about a return to normalcy, the snacking trends developed during the health crisis are bound to be impacted.
