Snacks

The trend towards plant-based products, including ice cream, continued in 2023. Plant-based ice cream recorded the most significant growth within ice cream during the year. Not only is the consumer interest in plant-based ice cream growing, but the…

After low demand during the pandemic years, gum sales were up in 2023, after experiencing a revival in 2022. The relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and the reduced incidence of wearing masks pushed up demand for chewing gum in 2023. Gum is mainly…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

The demand for chocolate confectionery remained stable in 2023, with a slight increase in volume terms but a solid rise in value sales. Value growth stemmed largely from increases in average unit prices. The overall rate of inflation in the country…

Private label – retailers’ alternatives to brands – tend to benefit from inflation. However, despite record inflation in France, Germany and the UK, the market share of private label in the three countries remained broadly stable across FMCGs in…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is a relatively well-established category in Ireland. Rising inflation is a key contributor to value growth in 2023, although volume sales have been pushed into decline. Sweet biscuits is the best…

Sugar confectionery is seeing retail volume sales decline as the war on sugar gains further momentum in Ireland. The pandemic intensified consumer’s focus on health and self-care with a growing awareness of nutrition and the negative health impacts…

Snacks in Ireland has come under pressure from rising prices in 2023. Many consumers perceive the higher prices as a deterrent and are switching to cheaper snacking options or reducing their snacking to some extent. Additionally, the increased prices…

In 2023, the savoury snack category in Ireland was characterized by a strong emphasis on taste and quality. Consumers prioritise these factors above all else when choosing their savoury snacks, leading to an increase in the variety of flavours…

Increasing numbers of ice cream producers are focusing on nostalgia to attract consumers who want something more than a novel flavour. The Fruit-tella ice cream is the first of its kind in the UK and combines three popular flavours into one product.…

Gum retail volume sales are stagnating in 2023 as the cost of living mitigates consumption slightly. Chewing gum is largely an impulse purchase, which make up two-thirds of gum purchases. Many consumers are therefore buying it on a whim rather than…

In 2023, chocolate confectionery in Ireland is driven by a strong consumer desire for indulgence and celebration. Chocolate is not merely a sweet treat, but a symbol of joy and festivity, making it a preferred choice for marking special occasions.…

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is set to post positive current retail value growth in 2023, thanks to the popularity of convenient snacking options, either at home or on-the-go. This is also being further boosted by the return to…

Challenges caused by a lack of raw ingredients have affected sweet biscuits in particular – with sweet biscuits being the most significant subcategory in sweet biscuits, snack bars, and fruit snacks. The lack of cereals coming from Ukraine, which was…

As opposed to other confectionery categories such as gum, sugar confectionery is a more diverse category. This allows the landscape to have robust growth opportunities, with innovations focused on reduced sugar variants and flavours and textures,…

Sugar confectionery is showing flat volume in 2023, which is expected to fall into small negative-figure declines over the coming years. Small positive value growth, on the other hand, is supported by increases in unit prices. However, overall, sugar…

The industry remains resilient in 2023, posting a positive performance despite challenging sales factors. For example, prices continue to be high in Switzerland, especially compared to neighbouring European countries, with a strong currency and the…

Global inflationary pressures, compounded by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, have affected sales of snacks in Portugal. We are seeing lower consumer spending power – especially for non-essentials – along with rising prices, and these issues are…

Savoury snacks is set to post strong growth in 2023. All categories are posting a positive performance as more consumption occasions are available, with consumers socialising through gatherings, barbeques and parties, enjoying savoury snacks. In…