The global snack market continued its upward trajectory last year, reaching $693bn in retail sales.
This is according to data analytics company Euromonitor International, which noted that growth was driven by factors such as shifting economic power and changing consumer values. It believes that the industry is poised for further growth despite challenges from legislative uncertainties and consumer price sensitivity.
Euromonitor International’s World Market of Snacks Report 2025 highlights the industry-wide efforts and projects that the category’s five-year forecast outlook (2025–2030) will outpace its historic performance (2019–2024), as the sector moves beyond pandemic-related strains and intensifies its focus on value-driven upgrades.
Citing the latest findings on snack insights and trends from Euromonitor International’s Passport knowledge hub, Carl Quash, global insight manager at Euromonitor International, said: “In the midst of turbulent tariffs and politics, rising producer costs and dynamic consumer habit shifts, the industry continues to realise a rise in value, resulting in a 4.2% growth to reach USD679 billion in retail sales in 2024.”
In 2024, savoury snacks remained the leading snack category, accounting for 35% of global value sales, while confectionery ranked second worldwide. Savoury snacks continue to be a consumer favourite; however, a growing appetite for affordable indulgences is also shaping demand, with confectionery serving as a key outlet for value-conscious consumers seeking small moments of treat-driven snack consumption.
Ice cream experienced the sharpest decline of any snack category, while sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks remained steady due to offering a balance of perceived affordability and value. Euromonitor noted that these shifts highlight consumers’ growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness without compromising enjoyment, suggesting that affordable indulgence will be a key driver of snack choices in the years to come.
The report highlights that snack brands are increasingly expanding into the health and beauty sector, utilising innovation to address consumer well-being needs from a fresh perspective. This reflects a broader blurring of category boundaries, where food and personal care intersect to support holistic health.
Notably, one in three global consumers expects to increase their spending on health and wellness in the year ahead, creating opportunities for snack brands to position themselves as lifestyle partners rather than just food providers. Euromonitor believes that by leveraging trust, functionality and innovation, these brands can strengthen consumer loyalty while tapping into new growth avenues.
Quash concluded: “The world is undergoing rapid societal shifts that are reshaping consumerism and redefining the standards that make a snack a worthy purchase. To stay relevant, brands must be proactive and agile, continually evolving to meet changing consumer expectations.”
