Consumer demand for nutritious snacks that offer taste and texture continues to grow as major ingredient suppliers develop increasingly functional solutions to support human and planetary health, notes FoodIngredientsFirst.

 Growth of the Segment

In the analysis, editors connected with industry leaders ADM and SVZ to reveal the trends shaping the snack category and to explore where the market is heading.

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 2% increase in global snack launches from 2019-2023, while Finger Foods/Hors D’oeuvres was the fastest-growing subcategory, with an 8% increase.

According to Pilar Darre, head of the Customer Solutions Center in Amsterdam at ofi, the diverse consumer requirements, from different regional preferences to generation-driven trends, mean that NPD (New Product Development) must hit the mark.

"Many consumers are looking for delicious and indulgent snacks that are also good and healthy options. New regulations and the popularization of front-of-pack labeling schemes, such as Nutriscore in Europe, make these choices easier," she tells Food Ingredients First.

Meanwhile, Paula LaBine, marketing director for Global Milling & Baking Solutions at ADM, suggests that the growing demand for healthy and tasty snacks will remain strong.

"Functional food continues to be a balancing act as consumers seek variety, convenience, delicious sensory experiences, and wellness benefits, all packed into the same package... and we don't see the appetite for these attributes waning anytime soon," she tells us.

Solutions for Alternatives

Natural ingredients derived from fruits, vegetables, and nuts are popular among global consumers. Innova Market Insights data shows that Snack Nuts & Seeds (21%) was the leading subcategory from 2019-2023.

In today's dynamic snack market, staying ahead of the curve is crucial, and fruit and vegetable ingredients offer a winning formula, explains Dejan Trifunović, business intelligence manager at SVZ.

"As consumers increasingly lean towards natural, health-conscious options, incorporating these ingredients adds a burst of flavor and gives snacks higher nutritional value.

Moreover, their versatility in offering diverse tastes opens endless doors for NPD, allowing snack producers to cater to a broader range of preferences," he tells Food Ingredients First. However, consumers are not just concerned with the ingredients in the snack but also with the fact that they have been responsibly sourced.

"Although all fruits and vegetables are inherently natural, not all ingredients are created equally when it comes to sustainable and transparent farming practices and sourcing," continues Trifunović.

"Collaborating with an experienced supplier like SVZ, committed to responsibility at every stage of the agrifood chain, means that every ingredient from blueberries, strawberries, or carrots is as good for the planet as it is for healthy snackers."

Meanwhile, ofi, which unveiled its F&B Solutions platform earlier this year, sees salty subcategories representing the vast majority of retail snack sales. In particular, snack bars are the only sweet snack category represented.

"A trend we see is that categories like Snack Nuts & Mixes or Snack Bars, which can offer healthier options, are among the fastest-growing categories. Nuts, a staple in popular categories like snack bars and trail mixes, are an excellent option for additional functionality," says Darre.

Almonds and cashews, for example, are a good source of unsaturated fats, fiber, and micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and potassium. Nuts also provide protein, contributing to muscle mass maintenance and healthy bones.

"Ingredients like nut protein powders can bring a health halo to various salty snacks, from tortilla chips to savory biscuits. We've developed versatile cashew and almond protein powders that offer gluten-free properties, nutritional density, and a neutral taste. Therefore, they can be an excellent replacement for conventional flour in premium snack formats, pastries, and desserts," adds Darre.

"One example of this is in on-the-go snacks. We've developed plant-based bites, a gluten-free cookie dough with no added sugar, sweetened instead with cocoa nibs, fruits, and vegetables, including raspberries and red beets."

Innova Market Insights data suggests a rise in plant-based snack launches, with a 24% increase from 2019-2023.

Consumers Will Choose

According to ADM, choice is also solidifying as a key expectation for consumers. Some specifically look for vegan or plant-based snacks, while others want options high in protein and fiber.

At the same time, most shoppers seek low-sugar snacks, giving rise to personalized snacks that fit consumers' lifestyles while supporting wellness requirements, including energy boost, immune function, digestive health, heart health, and emotional well-being.

"Essentially, functional products need to be delicious to turn consumers into repeat buyers," says LaBine.

"Modern snackers will not sacrifice flavor for nutrition, and taste is an important component of emotional well-being. Innovative flavor technology comes to the forefront to help meet sensory expectations.

Combining flavor modulation with quality plant-based and healthy ingredients, prebiotic dietary fibers, probiotics, postbiotics, and sweetening solutions, snack manufacturers have an array of tools to hit formulation goals."

ADM's holistic approach to formulation, along with its vast ingredient library, allows snack producers to bring to market delicious and diverse products full of functional benefits.

For example, its biotic granola fat blueberries and citrus concept offers great taste while supporting gut health. The concept includes biotics, proteins, and fibers to support holistic health, while its on-the-go size provides convenience.

The company's breakfast bar is an example of how various functional solutions, including plant proteins, can be combined into a tasty product. This better-for-you baked bar uses soy protein isolates, flakes and chips, prebiotic dietary fibers Fibersol, black tea extract, and a combined sweetening system with mixed berry or pecan pie flavors.

"Health-conscious consumers still look for recognizable ingredients on the label, like those they have in their pantry, when making purchase decisions for functional snacks," continues LaBine.

"Using high-quality, naturally sourced ingredients in combination with deep formulation expertise and technologies can help address this demand. Our plant-based and healthy ingredients can offer the 'closer to nature' appeal that many consumers seek, ensuring an exceptional sensory experience and functional attributes."

Meanwhile, ADM's Replace Rebalance Rebuild method, combined with its quality sweetening solutions, helps snack producers find the right sweetening system that addresses sugar targets and clean labels while delivering superior taste.

 Future Trends

For SVZ, the future of healthy snacks will continue to focus on functionality, as consumers increasingly prioritize snacks that provide satisfaction but also support their well-being.

At the same time, the company anticipates a continued expansion of the plant-based movement, driven by various factors such as ethical considerations, personal health concerns, and environmental awareness.

"As the demand for vegan products grows, so will the popularity of sweet vegan bakeries, including vegan desserts and savory snacks," says Trifunović.

"This trend also attracts flexitarians and non-vegans who seek healthier options than traditional high-calorie snacks and desserts."

"In addition, with high costs on consumers' priority lists, impulsive food choices may decrease, and we believe that more mindful indulgence will be favored."

Meanwhile, ADM anticipates a reality where supplements and snacks are closely linked.

"Snacking might soon be seen as something you do not just to satisfy hunger or craving but as part of a daily health and wellness routine (for many, it already is)," says LaBine.

"Personalization will become even more tailored to different lifestyles, with some snack manufacturers already offering online 'build-your-own bar' options, where consumers can choose from various functional ingredient and flavor combinations to create a snack seemingly made just for them."

In its 2024 flavor and color trends report, ADM stated it expects to see bold and fun choices across foods, including in the healthy snack sector, allowing consumers to express themselves.

"Because of their small portions, snacks allow consumers to try a wide variety of taste, sensory, and functional experiences until they find a few that resonate with them. Maybe a bright blue vegetable-based chip is a winner for one, while a seaweed snack or even a purple pretzel with blueberry yogurt is the new choice for someone else in their household," adds LaBine.

"Of course, social media has been and will continue to encourage snack exploration, as scrollers discover new combinations of flavors, colors, and functions almost daily." (Photo: Dreamstime)