Extruded Snacks Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Corn, Wheat, Potato, Rice, and Others), Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Specialty Stores, and Online Retail), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global extruded snacks market size was valued at USD 56.08 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 59.15 billion in 2024 to USD 91.81 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.65% during the forecast period.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with extruded snacks experiencing higher than anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global extruded snacks market share exhibited a rise of 2.98% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Extruded products are becoming very popular among consumers due to their flavorful taste profiles and interesting shapes. Snacking has become one of the fastest-spreading industry trends due to consumers' increasing demand for on-the-go products. The emerging trend of healthy snacking is expected to bring tremendous opportunities and innovations across industry during the forecast period.

The supply chain of snacks has experienced an unexpected shift because of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. In the initial phase of lockdown, consumers' panic purchasing of food products caused the strong growth in the sales of convenience products across retail channels, which also included snacks. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), grocery stores witnessed 99% increase in sales in March 2020 and it further increased by 25% in April 2020. However, the growing consumer apprehensions regarding safety and quality of processed foods lead them to purchase ingredients from stores and cooking at home. The rapid reduction in processed and packaged foods consumption had an intense influence on the convenience food market for a few months. However, the trend of eating nutritious foods to boost immunity is expected to present tremendous for extruded foods producers in upcoming years.

Extruded Snacks Market Trends

Increasing Demand for Convenience and On-the-go Products to Propel Market Growth

The growing popularity of convenience, ready-to-eat foods, and on-the-go snacking is a major factor propelling the market growth. The increasing number of people entering the formal workforce, resulting in their stressful and hectic lifestyles, primarily drives the demand for on-the-go products that provide a quick feeling of satiety in a busy schedule. These convenient portable packs provide a small energy boost in a hectic workday. The on-the-snacking trend is gaining popularity among millennials due to the convenience and assorted product offerings that satisfy the need for multiple eating occasions. Moreover, cereal-based savory snacks are witnessing strong retail performance due to their healthier attributes and flavorful bites. The growing popularity of cereal snacks further promotes the market growth.

Extruded Snacks Market Growth Factors

Rising Popularity of Savory Snacks to Support Market Growth

The savoury snacks have shown rapid growth in recent times. Developing economies, such as India, China, Japan, and others, significantly drive the rapid consumption of savoury snacks. The increase in consumption in these developing economies is owing to several factors, such as the increasing younger population, rising disposable income, growing middle-class population, increasing number of nuclear families, and rising participation in the workforce by women. For instance, per the United Nations Population Projections, the share of working-age group 20-34 was 25.5% in 2020 and is expected to reach 70% by 2030. In addition, as per the data, the middle class constitutes around 60% of the total population in India, and this population group is expected to grow even more in the years to come.

Snack foods are becoming a significant part of modern consumer life. Consumer demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) products is expected to rise swiftly over the next few years as consumers demand convenient snacks with enticing sensory and textural profiles. Extrusion processing has been used widely in the production of RTE cereal-based snacks due to its ease of preparation and ability to produce assorted textures and shapes that appeal to consumers.

Consumers seek snacks with flavorful organoleptic properties. The savory snacks are consumed during tea and breakfast timings or even throughout the day. The rising popularity of savory snacks such as crisps, crisp snacks, popcorn nuts, savory biscuits, and breaded snacks primarily fuels the extruded snacks market growth.

Accelerating Investments in Innovation and Development of Novel Products to Amplify Growth

The rapidly evolving snacks industry has established new opportunities for manufacturers to innovate their processing & preservation technologies and contemporary product offerings. The growing trend of better-for-you products fuels technological advancements in processing reduced-fat, whole-grain, and preservative-free snacking options. The extruded category has become mainstream, and the market is experiencing some diverse trends. A wider consumer base is now seeking healthier alternatives and exciting flavor combinations.

Consumers nowadays focus on the nutritional information on snack packets and seek clean labels such as gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and allergen-free. Consumers also look for protein and fiber-rich, which pose tremendous opportunities for manufacturers to incorporate novel flavors and shapes into their product portfolio.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Technological and Processing Related Challenges faced by Manufacturers to Hamper Growth

The market is hampered by the challenges processors face during processing into final products. Products such as sugar-free, additives-free, and reduced-fat or fat-free healthy snacks undergo various processing-related difficulties due to the absence of these important ingredients that impart flavor, texture, and binding properties to the final product. The texture and crispiness of any snack are important characteristics consumers notice while buying the product. The reduction or removal of fats from ingredients negatively affects the snack texture. Furthermore, fats impart crispiness to the product. Reduced-fat or fat-free products are more prone to moisture absorption, making them soft or soggy, degrading their organoleptic properties. Extrusion cooking is a high-temperature, short-time process. The temperature fluctuation during processing can also cause the burning of the raw material.

Extruded Snacks Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type Analysis

Corn-based Snacks to Dominate Market Owing to their Enticing Flavour and Texture

Based on the product type, the market is segmented into corn, wheat, potato, rice, and others

Corn-based snacks hold a major share in the market. Corn is the chief ingredient for a variety of extruded snacks. Corn starch granules are medium in size and have very good expansion characteristics, which gives a definite flavor to snack food formulations with corn.

Amylose and amylopectin are found in wheat, which offers a good expansion during extrusion cooking. Furthermore, whole-wheat snacks are perceived to be healthier, significantly increasing the demand for extruded wheat-based snacks. Other ingredients such as oats, pea, beans, barley, and other grains are becoming popular for manufacturing extruded products owing to their better nutritional profiles.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Segment to Remain Dominant Due to Vast Product Range

On the basis of distribution channels, the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores and online retail.

Hypermarkets and supermarkets are expected to hold the highest share due to the easy accessibility of various products. The ability to make an informed purchase by choosing from multiple options through proper knowledge of ingredients and nutritional aspects drives the growth. These channels also offer various product discounts to attract a wider consumer base.

Other distribution channels such as online stores also exhibit strong growth during the forecast period. The convenience of ordering from home and getting products delivered according to consumer preferences fuels the growth of online retail during the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific to Dominate the Market Owing to its Fastest Growing Food Processing Industry

The market in the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a significant CAGR attributed to its flourishing food processing industry. The increasing disposable income levels among consumers have necessitated food manufacturers to invest in the development of innovative products. The increasing urbanization and growing demand for snack foods from developing markets of India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia is expected to support the market growth. The increasing millennial population and their growing interest in innovative flavors and fuel the market growth in the region.

In the North American region, the demand for on-the-go foods has increased significantly in the past few years. Consumer interest in convenience food products has increased because of the increasing population entering the formal workforce. The increased demand for ‘better-for-you’ products that promote well-being significantly affects the snacks market. This is projected to amplify research and development activities across industry to offer healthy options in the extruded snacks category.

Europe is anticipated to witness promising market growth due to the rising interest in clean-label, vegetarian, and vegan products. Consumers in the region are continuously seeking novel products that satisfy their needs for healthy food products. The increasing investment in manufacturing newer product varieties is projected to drive market growth. The shifting consumer demands toward snacks from ingredients such as pea, beans, oats, barley and other ancient grains is expected to fuel market growth in the foreseeable years.

South American market is witnessing strong growth attributed to the rising demand for processed food products among consumers. The growing interest in trying out innovative products among consumers is expected to propel product growth. Innovative flavors such as meat, spices, and sauces in snacks are becoming very popular among consumers in the region. This has further fueled the market growth in Latin American countries.

In the Middle East & Africa region, the demand is propelled by the rising adoption of western food culture. The increasing middle-class population in the region has led to the increasing demand for convenience food products, including savory snacks. The ever-expanding distribution network across developing markets such as GCC countries and South Africa is projected to amplify the market growth in the upcoming years.

List of Key Companies in Extruded Snacks Market

Major Players Investing in Expansion of Extrusion Facilities to Facilitate Market Growth

Some of the major players operating in the extruded snacks market include PepsiCo, Inc., Calbee, Inc., Kellogg Company, Old Dutch Foods and General Mills, Inc. Extruded snacks are becoming very popular among consumers across the globe due to their enticing flavor profile and crispy and crunchy texture. The major companies are investing in expanding the production of extruded products to fulfill the growing demand for these snacks. For instance, in August 2021, Milk Specialties Global, a protein and nutrient ingredients supplier, has acquired a new Minnesota processing facility to expand its protein extrusion business. The new facility will capitalize on the growing demand for extruded protein products in various applications such as snacks and meat alternatives. The industry is moderately consolidated, with few multinational companies holding major shares. However, the small entrants with innovative product launches are expected to create a positive market competitive landscape.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• PepsiCo, Inc. (New York, U.S.)


• Calbee, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan)


• Kellogg Company (Michigan, U.S.)


• Campbell Soup Company (New Jersey, U.S.)


• General Mills, Inc. (Minnesota, U.S.)


• ITC Limited (Kolkata, India)


• Grupo Bimbo (Mexico City, Mexico)


• Mondelez International (Illinois, U.S.)


• JFC International (California, U.S.)


• Lorenz Snack World (Neu-Isenberg, Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2023: “Skippi”, known for its ice pops in India, announced its expansion in the retail sector with the launch of its all-new FMCG snack product called Skippi Cornsticks. These new products are available in 4 different flavors: Thai chilli, tangy tomato, magic masala, and sweet corn.


• May 2023: Reliance Retail Ventures, one of India’s well-established retail chains, announced that the company will launch Alan’s Bugles in India. Alan’s Bugles is a corn chip snack popular in the U.K. and the Middle East. Thus, with this launch, the company is looking forward to expanding its presence in India's high-demand consumer products market.


• May 2022: Hey Chips, a well-known snack manufacturer in Singapore, announced the launch of its all-new snack made from corn, which is healthy and better for your product range. Thus, the company aims to cater for the rising demand for healthy snacking and further expand its product range towards healthy snacking.


• August 2021: The Indian company Bikano has acquired a license for India’s famous kids show character ‘Chota Bheem’ to launch a new range of extruded products. This will enable the company to attract a wider consumer base in the country.  


• November 2020: A food technology startup company, ChickP Protein Ltd., has launched a new starch developed from chickpeas. The product can be used to manufacture various processed foods, including extruded snacks.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market sizing and focuses on key aspects such as competitive landscape, product types, and distribution channels. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors contributing to the market's growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation