Industry: Food and Beverages
Published Date: June-2024
Format: PPT*, PDF, EXCEL
Delivery Timelines: Contact Sales
Number of Pages: 187
Report ID: PMRREP18604
The approximately US$5.2 Bn market for protein bars is anticipated to rise high up to US$7.9 Bn by the end of 2031. Between 2024 and 2031, the market size for protein bars witness promising growth at a CAGR of 6%.
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Attributes |
Key Insights |
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Market Size (2024E) |
US$5.2 Bn |
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Projected Market Value (2031F) |
US$7.9 Bn |
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Forecast Growth Rate (CAGR 2024 to 2031) |
6.0% |
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Historical Growth Rate (CAGR 2019 to 2023) |
5.4% |
Key Highlights of the Market
The rise of convenient, on-the-go snack format like protein bars is clearly creditable to the US. Busy consumer lifestyles in the US fuel demand for convenience products across F&B and protein bar has been one of the leading beneficiaries of this trend.
Today, the global protein bars market is thriving at a noteworthy pace and represents the size of more than US$5 Bn. Growth of the market is driven predominantly by rising health consciousness, busy work schedules, and the expansion of fitness enthusiastic population that keenly seeks protein-rich diet options for muscle building.
The market has grown much beyond basic nutrition bars. Flavor innovations, textural variations, and functionalities are the major highlights shaping the industry.
Protein bars are typically popular among athletes, low-sugar options trend among diabetics or health nuts, and specialized varieties are gradually penetrating the vegan and keto clusters.
The versatility of the protein bars market is rising exceptionally, to cover each of the industry trends, which will remain the strongest growth booster in the long run.
The protein bars market appears to have enjoyed a period of steady growth between 2019 and 2023. The 2023 sales surge linked to healthy eating habits suggests a continuation of this positive trend.
Strong focus on health and wellbeing likely fueled market growth throughout this period. Consumers increasingly sought convenient and portable protein sources to support their busy lifestyles, and increased immunity needs.
This trend may have been further amplified by a shift in snacking habits, with protein bars replacing less healthy options like chips.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the protein bars market seems to be a double-edged sword. The focus on immunity during the pandemic might have pushed consumers towards protein bars perceived to boost the immune system.
Additionally, supply chain disruptions for some unhealthy snacks could have made protein bars a more readily available alternative.
Over the years of forecast, the market is expected to maintain its growth trajectory. The ongoing emphasis on health and convenience, coupled with the continuous development of innovative protein bar options catering to diverse dietary needs, paints a promising future for this industry.
Health and Convenience Capture the Limelight
The escalating demand for healthy, convenient options in the snacks category is primarily driving the growth in the global protein bars market.
Driven mainly by busy lifestyles, and remarkably growing health consciousness, the sales of protein bars continue to climb up, suggests the market scenario as of 2024.
Protein bars are increasingly being referred to as a quick, portable source of protein and nutrients that also aids in muscle building, weight management, and overall wellbeing. This consumer perception will largely favor the market expansion in the years to come.
A Wealth of Health Benefits
Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier and convenient snacking options and protein bars present a quick healthy grab amidst busy lifestyles.
Additional health benefits like improved muscle built, weight loss, and enhanced energy levels further raise the market attractiveness of protein bars, and brands involved in manufacturing.
Protein bars that cater to specific dietary needs like gluten-free, plant-based, and low-sugar have recently been witnessing growing preference in the light of an expanding health-conscious consumer population.
The mounting significance of clean-label, natural ingredients is also an important trend shaping market performance.
Alignment with Diverse Consumer Preferences
Considering the market's response to varied dietary needs, participants in the protein bars market witness consumers seeking the contents of protein bar in more specific forms - low sugar, high fiber, vegan, or keto-friendly options.
This trend is fueled by rising awareness of specific dietary requirements, and preferences. Manufacturers are innovating with new flavors, textures, and ingredients to cater to this growing demand, thereby pushing the boundaries of the market.
Continued Consumer Skepticism
Consumers are still skeptical over the nutrition content of manufactured goods. Protein bars especially are subject to this concern as they typically contain synthetic additives, added sugars, and multiple preservatives – all against the basic concept of healthy snacking.
While manufacturers of protein bars, like any other F&B manufacturer, face the pressure of transparent labels, the clear mentioning of ingredients on fact works to the disadvantage of the market itself.
Continued reluctance of consumers ultimately hampers the demand, which thereby pulls the overall rate of expansion of the protein bars market.
Expensive Price Point
Protein bars are typically costlier than most other available snacking options. While the higher costs are due to the costs of their manufacturing, and high-quality ingredients, the overall impact of price sensitivity extends to a considerable extent.
It thus becomes a challenge for manufacturers to strike the right balance between health, nutrition, and affordability. The protein bars market in developing, and emerging nations is especially facing the heat, and will prevail as a key challenge facing the cost-conscious regions over the years to come.
Widespread Availability of Alternative Products
A variety of alternative products are readily available in the market. While protein intake has been increasing capturing the limelight recently, various products are experiencing rapid growth in popularity, including protein powders, cookies, infused beverages, and shakes.
The market also offers a spectrum of attractive products in equivalent segments like snack bars, and multivitamin bars. This will pose a substantial challenge for the protein bars market.
Moreover, growing consumer awareness regarding the potential health hazards of synthetic sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats will also limit the demand surge to a large extent.
Specialized Nutrition, and Customized Bars
Trends like customization have penetrated every other industry and protein bar is no exception. Protein bars are becoming more of a specialized version so as to meet the various, specific nutritional demands of consumers. May are even picking these bars to align with their exercise goals.
While specialized protein bars designed to meet the special needs of consumers following paleo, keto, diabetes-friendly, or functional dietary lifestyle, manufacturers are certain to discover lucrative opportunities in this segment of the market.
Addition of nutrition+ ingredients like pro/prebiotics, fiber, and superfood(s) to render additional health benefits is likely to bring in greater profits for brands in the years to come. Leveraging the increasingly complex consumer dietary trends will be the best move forward.
Gourmet and Premium Flavor Profiles
Moving beyond the basic chocolate and peanut butter, brands in the protein bars market are gradually shifting in line with trends involving distinct, gourmet flavor profiles over the recent years.
With more consumers seeking sophisticated yet healthy snacking options, brands are exploring opportunities in flavors like savoury, salted caramel, coffee walnut, mint, and dark chocolate.
Protein bar makers are likely to focus on developing a combination of exciting, indulgent flavors with healthy snacking. This way, brands can clearly reach out to newer, premium consumer communities, catering to a more discerning palate.
It is thus expected that the market for protein bars will soon witness the emergence of a new niche segment – premium and gourmet.
Visible Hike in Online Protein Bar Sales
With the rise of online platforms and direct-to-consumer models, companies look forward to catering to individual dietary needs, and preferences.
Consumers are growing fond of subscription models that allow them to enjoy customized ingredients, desired portion sizes, and indulgent flavors.
A personalized approach, beyond customization, represents a golden opportunity and holds massive potential to create a niche category in the booming protein bar industry and attract a sizeable loyal consumer base.
Consumers are showcasing greater preference for online shopping, considering the advantages against traditional retail, in form of convenience, wider scope for product selection, offers, and potentially lower costs.
While sales heighten with the widening availability of health foods like protein bars all over retail, a growing consumer tendency to purchase multi-packs instead of single packs also gives a significant boost to sales.
Companies are capturing the pulse and creating attractive multi-pack offers to discover remunerative opportunities in retail sales.
Thus, although the supermarkets category currently holds a dominant share of the global protein bar sales, online retail has a much larger role to play in the adjacent years.
High Protein Bars Lead the Charge
The protein bars market reflects a growing obsession with health and fitness. Consumers are opting for bars with the highest protein content (above 25g), making this segment the undisputed leader.
This is followed by medium protein bars (16-25g) catering to general health-conscious individuals, further trailed by low protein bars (0-15g) which may be suited for snacking, or specific dietary needs.
Sales of Sports Nutrition Bars/Energy Bars Surge Ahead
Sports nutrition bars continue to dominate the market by application. These bars are specifically formulated to meet the demands of athletes, and fitness enthusiasts who are seeking protein for muscle building, and recovery.
High protein content of sports nutrition bars, along with additional nutrients and energy-boosting ingredients, make them a perfect pre-workout or post-workout snack. However, the market is experiencing exciting diversification.
Research also points to the potentially higher popularity of meal replacement bars soon in the future, suggesting a probable shift in dominance across the global market for protein bars.
Plant-Based Protein Sources Set the Trend
Animal protein currently reigns supreme due to its wider availability, and lower production costs. However, the tide is turning. Plant-based protein bars are steadily gaining ground, driven by a growing awareness of their health benefits, and ethical considerations.
Despite the higher extraction costs associated with plant-based protein sources, this segment is poised for significant future growth.
Fruit & Nut Bars Take the Top Spot
Consumers prioritize protein content but taste still matters. Fruit & nut flavored protein bars are the clear winner, offering a delicious and satisfying combination of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
These bars cater to a wide range of needs, from satiety and muscle building to weight management. Chocolate leads, whereas cranberry, and choco almond bars follow closely behind.
North America Clutches the Top Rank
Led by the US, North America holds on to the leadership position in the global protein bars market. The dominance of this region stems from a larger population of health-conscious consumers, growing preference for healthful food choices, and the prominent on-the-go snacking trend.
Strong emphasis of the North American consumer on fitness, and the wisely established healthy living trend collectively push the market outlook in the region. Acceptance of protein bars, and equivalent products as a convenient and nutritious snack will continue to position the US, and Canada as the top-performing markets here.
Moreover, well-developed retail channels, strong efforts towards brand presence, and busier on-the-go lifestyle of consumers are expected to contribute towards the key position of North America in the global market for protein bars.
Consumption Picks Pace in Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is identified to be the fastest-growing protein bars market in the light of the improving standards of living, rising spending on lifestyle and diet, and growing awareness and availability of health and wellness products.
Pacing urbanization, busier lifestyles mirroring that in the western developed regions, and evolving F&B trends like convenient processed foods will drive the growth in this region further.
Over recent years, consumer awareness about the exceptional health benefits of high-protein diet is on the rise. China, and India especially stand as the major players in the region, with China being the flagbearer. India also is set for a notable outlook of growth in the upcoming years.
The rise of healthy snacking trend, popularity of functional food products, and growing readiness for flavor and ingredient choices remain the strongest pillars of growth for the Asian markets.
Plant-based protein bars, based on some of the most popular, indigenous sources like rice protein, pea protein, and hemp protein, marks another solid trend shaping the market performance in Asia Pacific.
May 2024
Gelita, a collagen peptide company, launched Optibar, a new ingredient specifically designed for protein bars. Optibar allows manufacturers to create protein bars with high protein content (over 40g) while maintaining a soft texture and being sugar-free. This caters to the growing demand for protein bars that are both functional and enjoyable.
May 2024
Sports nutrition brand Myprotein has teamed up with confectionery giant Jelly Belly to launch a limited-edition protein bar. This collaboration infuses classic Jelly Belly flavors like bubble gum, very cherry, green apple, and berry blue into Myprotein's Clear Whey Isolate protein powder. The new bar boasts 20g of protein and 4g of BCAAs with under 85 calories. Myprotein and Jelly Belly will also release a line of BCAA energy drinks in bubble gum and very cherry flavors later this year.
April 2024
Functional chocolate brand Fx Chocolate is expanding its product line with the launch of their first protein bar, the ‘Yes Whey!!!’ bar. This new offering caters to fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers by packing 15g of whey and milk protein isolates per serving, along with 2g of creatine monohydrate. The bar is formulated with no simple sugars, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, or additives. Fx Chocolate aims to provide a high-protein option that complements their existing range of functional chocolate confections.
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Attributes |
Details |
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Forecast Period |
2024 to 2031 |
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Historical Data Available for |
2019 to 2023 |
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Market Analysis |
US$ Billion for Value |
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Key Regions Covered |
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Key Market Segments Covered |
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Key Companies Profiled |
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Report Coverage |
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Customization & Pricing |
Available upon request |
By Product Type
By Protein Source
By Protein Content
By Distribution Channel
By Region
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