New research from Euromonitor International reveals the global snack market achieved US$693bn in retail sales in 2024, with savoury snacks accounting for 35 per cent of value sales as brands increasingly expand into health and beauty sectors
A new report by data analytics company Euromonitor International has found that the global snack market is continuing on an upward trajectory, reaching US$693bn in retail sales in 2024.
Driven by factors such as shifting economic power and changing consumer values, the industry is poised for further growth despite challenges from legislative uncertainties and consumer price sensitivity, it said.
Euromonitor’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.
“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 per cent growth to reach US$679bn in retail sales in 2024,” said Euromonitor’s global insight manager Carl Quash III.
Savoury snacks lead consumer preferences
In 2024, savoury snacks remained the leading snack category, accounting for 35 per cent 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, Euromonitor pointed out, 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 stronger balance of perceived affordability and value.
“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 coming years,” the analyst group noted.
Snack brands branch into health and beauty
Snack brands are increasingly extending into the health and beauty sector, using innovation to address consumer wellbeing needs from a fresh perspective.
This, Euromonitor commented, reflects a broader blurring of category boundaries, where food and personal care intersect to support holistic health.
Notably, one in three global consumers expect 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, it said.
By leveraging trust, functionality and innovation, these brands can strengthen consumer loyalty while tapping into new growth avenues.
“The world is undergoing rapid societal shifts that are reshaping consumerism and redefining the standards that make a snack a worthy purchase,” Quash III added.
”To stay relevant, brands must be proactive and agile, continually evolving to meet changing consumer expectations.”
