Insights
4 Trends Redefining The Global Nutrition Bar Market
Bars have experienced an uptick in consumption as a healthy and convenient snacking option with the increasingly busy lifestyles of consumers.
01 Nov 2021
10 min
The rise of healthy snacking and protein bars
Driven by the increasingly busy lifestyles of consumers, grab-and-go convenience is experiencing rising demand among consumers. Modern eating styles have replaced traditional eating patterns, characterised by frequent snacking instead of having three structured meals a day. [1] In North America, the snacking category is experiencing one of the strongest sales growths with an estimated retail value of US$139bn and growing at 3.8% (2019-2024). [2]
Bars, in particular, have experienced an uptick in consumption as a healthy and convenient snacking option. Over the past 5 years, snack launches have been dominated by bars in the US, UK, German and Australian markets.[3] Convenience and the nutritional value of bars are top reasons for the rising bar consumption.[6]
79%
of US consumers have snacked on bars in the past 12 months. [4]
As manufacturers move to stay ahead of the competition, distinct bar formats that segment the market have emerged. These include:
- Muscle recovery bars
- Energy bars
- Indulgent bars
- Meal replacement bars
Our latest infographic covers these 4 trends: the quality of protein, the importance of taste and texture, the ability to generate additional appeal with complementing protein claims and consumer preferences of natural ingredients.
High performing ingredients for bar applications
More than any other factor, the purchase decision driving bar purchases is the sensory experience.
To meet this need, NZMP offers a broad range of Bar ingredient solutions that deliver improved taste, texture and superior functionality.
Maximizing appeal of protein bars
The focus has since shifted to the quality of protein, rather than just quantity. 48% of US bar consumers look for moderate amounts of protein (5-14g), with the source of protein as a key driver of bar choice.[5]
60%
of US consumers consider high protein claims to be important when purchasing healthy snacks.[8]
As the market moves beyond the realm of professional sports into mainstream active and healthy lifestyle snacking habits, protein remains the leading driver in bar choice. Since 2016, protein bar sales have overtaken cereal bars in the US. It now accounts for roughly half the retail value of the entire snack bar market, estimated at $3.9bn in 2019.[9]
Not sure what ingredient is right for you?
Do you need guidance on what ingredients to select when making your bar? Or are you trying to overcome a specific formulation challenges? Use our tool to find the best NZMP ingredients for your nutrition bar requirements.
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 1 of 8
Please indicate the region where you operate.
Our portfolio of ingredients may vary depending on the region where you operate; therefore to give you an accurate recommendation, we need to know where you are making your bars. Select one of the regions below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 2 of 8
What type of bar are you making?
Select one of the types below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 3 of 8
Which stage of the formulation process are you at?
Select one of the options below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 4 of 8
What type of ingredient/s do you want?
Select one or more of the types below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 5 of 8
What type of dairy protein/s do you want?
Select all that apply:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 6 of 8
What protein content are you targeting?
Select one of the choices below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 7 of 8
What sugar content are you targeting?
Select one of the choices below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 8 of 8
What is the main texture attribute you are looking for when making your bar?
Select one of the choices below:
Ingredients for Nutrition Bars
Question 8 of 8
Which texture challenge do you want to overcome?
Select one of the choices below:
Discover NZMP ingredients for nutrition bar applications
Your recommended ingredients based on the options you selected:
Types of Bar Edit
Types of Protein Edit
Protein Content Edit
Types of Ingredients Edit
Sugar Content Edit
Texture Edit
By blending the below ingredient(s) together or with other ingredients from our bar portfolio, it is possible to customise texture to deliver a desired consumer experience, and give stability over shelf life.
We strongly recommend to blend the below ingredient with our SureProtein™ FlexBar WPC for an optimal consumer experience over shelf-life.
We strongly recommend to blend the below ingredient with our SureProtein™ CrispBar Dairy Protein for an optimal consumer experience over shelf-life.
We strongly recommend to blend the below ingredient with our SureProtein™ FlexBar WPC for an optimal consumer experience over shelf-life.
We strongly recommend to blend the below ingredient with our SureProtein™ CrispBar Dairy Protein for an optimal consumer experience over shelf-life.
We strongly recommend to blend the below ingredient with our SureProtein™ FlexBar WPC as well as SureProtein™ 392 WPC to aerate your Nougat bar.
If you want to develop a protein-fortified caramel to be used as a layer or a protein-fortified chocolate that can be used to enrobe your bar, please talk to us as we have ingredients to support these formulations.
We recommend bar formulations start with SureProtein™ FlexBar WPC as the base ingredient as it is extremely versatile and can be used in all types of bar applications.
If you want to develop a protein-fortified caramel to be used as a layer or a protein-fortified chocolate that can be used to enrobe your bar, please talk to us as we have ingredients to support these formulations.
We recommend bar formulations start with SureProtein™ FlexBar WPC as the base ingredient as it is extremely versatile and can be used in all types of bar applications.
If you want to develop a protein-fortified caramel to be used as a layer or a protein-fortified chocolate that can be used to enrobe your bar, please talk to us as we have ingredients to support these formulations.
For more information on blending ratios, specifications and samples please Contact Us.
Qualities
Nutrition Highlights
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References
- [1] Mintel: Snacking Motivations and Attitudes, US, January 2019
- [2] Euromonitor: Market Size - North America Snacking, March 2020
- [3] Mintel GNPD: Q1 2020
- [4] FMCG: Active Nutrition Survey, Q3 2019
- [5] Mintel: Snack, Nutrition and Performance Bars, US, February 2019
- [6] Mintel: Snack, Nutrition and Performance Bars, US, February 2020
- [7] Mintel: Better for you Snacking, US, December 2019
- [8] Euromonitor: US Snack Bar Sales 2005 to 2024
