Forget everything you thought you knew about this classic breakfast aisle, because today's cereal bowl tells a story of a surprising $10.2 billion market where adult preferences for premium and organic varieties are driving growth while nostalgic kids' brands quietly fade.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, US ready-to-eat cereal retail sales totaled $10.2 billion, marking a 2.1% year-over-year increase driven by premium and organic varieties
- The US cereal market grew by 1.8% in volume sales to 2.9 billion units in 2022, reflecting steady demand despite health trends
- Breakfast cereal sales in the US accounted for 12.3% of total breakfast food sales in 2023, with $8.7 billion in dollar sales
- In 2022, the global ready-to-eat cereal market was valued at $45.6 billion, projected to reach $62.3 billion by 2030 at 4.1% CAGR
- Asia-Pacific dominated the global cereal market with 38% share in 2023, valued at $17.9 billion
- Global organic cereal market reached $4.2 billion in 2023, growing at 9.2% CAGR from 2018-2023
- Kellogg's US cereal sales revenue was $2.9 billion in 2023, down 1.2% YoY
- General Mills Cheerios generated $1.1 billion in global sales in FY2023, leading brand
- Post Consumer Brands US sales hit $2.1 billion in 2023, up 4.5% with Grape-Nuts growth
- 52% of US cereal consumers are parents with children under 18, per 2023 survey
- 67% of millennials prefer high-protein cereals, driving 15% sales growth in segment 2023
- 41% of US adults cite health concerns as reason for reduced cereal consumption in 2023 poll
- US grocery store cereal sales dominated at 68% of total channel sales $7.0 billion in 2023
- E-commerce cereal sales in US grew 25% to $2.1 billion representing 20% of market 2023
- Club stores like Costco saw 12% cereal sales growth to $1.4 billion in US 2023
Premium and organic cereals drove a 2% sales increase to over $10 billion in the US market.
Brand-Specific Sales
- Kellogg's US cereal sales revenue was $2.9 billion in 2023, down 1.2% YoY
- General Mills Cheerios generated $1.1 billion in global sales in FY2023, leading brand
- Post Consumer Brands US sales hit $2.1 billion in 2023, up 4.5% with Grape-Nuts growth
- Nestle Cereals global revenue from cereals was $3.4 billion in 2023, 6% growth
- PepsiCo Quaker Oats cereal sales reached $1.8 billion in 2023, flat YoY
- Kellogg's Corn Flakes US sales declined 5.3% to $450 million in 2023
- General Mills Lucky Charms generated $650 million in 2023 sales, up 3.1%
- Malt-O-Meal brand sales in US were $780 million in 2023, Post Holdings flagship
- Nature's Path organic cereals sold $420 million globally in 2023, 12% growth
- Barbara's cereals acquired by Post saw $280 million sales in 2023, up 9%
- Kellogg's Rice Krispies US sales $380 million in 2023, down 2.8%
- General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch $520 million in 2023, top growth brand
- Weetabix UK sales £250 million in 2023, steady performance
- Kashi cereals by Kellogg's $290 million US sales 2023, organic leader
- Honey Nut Cheerios $850 million global sales FY2023
- Special K by Kellogg's $1.2 billion global 2023, diet segment
- Cap'n Crunch by Quaker $320 million US 2023
Brand-Specific Sales Interpretation
This topsy-turvy cereal bowl shows that while the giants are fighting over soggy market share flakes, the real growth is found either by charming kids with marshmallows or by catering to adults seeking organic virtue.
Consumer Behavior and Preferences
- 52% of US cereal consumers are parents with children under 18, per 2023 survey
- 67% of millennials prefer high-protein cereals, driving 15% sales growth in segment 2023
- 41% of US adults cite health concerns as reason for reduced cereal consumption in 2023 poll
- Women account for 58% of organic cereal buyers in US, 2023 data
- 73% of Gen Z consumers snack on cereal outside breakfast, boosting anytime sales 2023
- Average US household cereal purchase frequency is 2.3 times monthly in 2023
- 55% of low-income US families buy store-brand cereals for value, 2023
- 62% prefer cereals with whole grains per 2023 consumer report
- Hispanic consumers represent 22% of US cereal market volume, growing fastest 2023
- 48% of US consumers read nutrition labels before buying cereal, up from 42% in 2020
- Boomers purchase 28% of traditional sugary cereals in US 2023
- 39% of vegans seek plant-based cereals, niche but 20% growth 2023
- Urban US consumers buy 1.4x more premium cereals than rural, 2023 IRI data
- 71% of parents prioritize low-sugar for kids' cereals in purchases 2023
- Loyalty to favorite cereal brands stands at 65% among US buyers 2023
- Online reviews influence 53% of cereal purchases per 2023 survey
- 44% of diabetics avoid cereals due to carbs, per health survey 2023
Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation
The cereal market is now a battlefield where nostalgic, sugary brands square off against high-protein upstarts and sugar-wary parents, all while Gen Z eats it straight from the box at midnight and everyone else squints suspiciously at the nutrition label.
Global Market Statistics
- In 2022, the global ready-to-eat cereal market was valued at $45.6 billion, projected to reach $62.3 billion by 2030 at 4.1% CAGR
- Asia-Pacific dominated the global cereal market with 38% share in 2023, valued at $17.9 billion
- Global organic cereal market reached $4.2 billion in 2023, growing at 9.2% CAGR from 2018-2023
- In 2023, Europe cereal sales totaled $12.8 billion, with UK leading at 22% regional share
- Global kids' cereal segment was $15.4 billion in 2022, expected to grow 3.8% annually to 2030
- North America held 32% of global cereal market in 2023 at $14.6 billion
- Global cereal e-commerce sales surged 28% to $6.7 billion in 2023
- In 2023, Latin America cereal market grew 5.3% to $4.1 billion, led by Brazil
- Global low-sugar cereal sales hit $8.9 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY
- Middle East & Africa cereal market valued at $3.2 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.1% projected to 2030
- Global hot cereal sales were $7.8 billion in 2022, growing slower at 2.9% CAGR
- In 2023, China cereal market reached $5.6 billion, with 15% YoY growth in urban areas
- Global premium cereal segment generated $11.2 billion in 2023, 24% market share
- India cereal sales totaled $2.1 billion in 2023, up 11.4% driven by working women
- Global gluten-free cereal market was $2.8 billion in 2023, projected 7.5% CAGR to 2032
Global Market Statistics Interpretation
The world is eating its way through a $45.6 billion cereal bowl, where Asia-Pacific holds the biggest spoon, adults are sweet-talking low-sugar options into a $8.9 billion craze, and even our browsers are getting crunchy with a 28% surge in online sales.
Sales Channels and Trends
- US grocery store cereal sales dominated at 68% of total channel sales $7.0 billion in 2023
- E-commerce cereal sales in US grew 25% to $2.1 billion representing 20% of market 2023
- Club stores like Costco saw 12% cereal sales growth to $1.4 billion in US 2023
- Convenience store cereal sales declined 4.1% to $650 million US 2023 due to on-the-go shifts
- Dollar stores captured 8% US cereal market share $820 million sales 2023 up 9%
- Mass retailers Walmart cereal sales $2.8 billion US 2023 27% market share
- Foodservice cereal sales in US hotels/restaurants $450 million 2023 steady
- Amazon cereal sales volume up 32% YoY to leading online platform 2023
- Natural food stores like Whole Foods $1.1 billion organic cereal 2023 15% growth
- Drug stores cereal sales $380 million US 2023 flat as impulse buys
Sales Channels and Trends Interpretation
While traditional grocery aisles still rule the cereal kingdom, the throne is being rattled by the relentless march of online shopping and the decline of the hurried convenience store grab.
US Market Statistics
- In 2023, US ready-to-eat cereal retail sales totaled $10.2 billion, marking a 2.1% year-over-year increase driven by premium and organic varieties
- The US cereal market grew by 1.8% in volume sales to 2.9 billion units in 2022, reflecting steady demand despite health trends
- Breakfast cereal sales in the US accounted for 12.3% of total breakfast food sales in 2023, with $8.7 billion in dollar sales
- Organic cereal sales in the US surged 15.4% to $1.1 billion in 2023, comprising 10.7% of total cereal market
- US kids' cereal sales declined 3.2% to $2.4 billion in 2023, while adult cereals grew 4.1%
- Total US cereal consumption per capita stood at 10.1 pounds in 2022, down from 10.9 pounds in 2019
- In 2023, the US cereal market's average price per unit rose 5.6% to $3.52, fueled by inflation
- US private label cereal sales reached $1.3 billion in 2023, up 7.2% and capturing 12.7% market share
- Revenue from US cereal sales via e-commerce grew 22.4% to $1.8 billion in 2023
- The US fortified cereal segment generated $4.5 billion in 2023 sales, representing 44% of the market
- US cereal exports totaled $450 million in 2022, with Canada as the top destination at 35%
- In Q4 2023, US cereal sales volume dipped 0.8% but dollar sales rose 4.2% due to pricing
- US millennial-targeted cereal sales increased 8.9% to $900 million in 2023
- The US cold cereal market share was 78% of total cereal sales at $7.9 billion in 2023
- US cereal sales in mass merchandise channels hit $3.2 billion in 2023, up 6.1%
US Market Statistics Interpretation
Americans are paying more for fancier, grown-up cereal in a slightly shrinking bowl, proving that while our collective sweet tooth for cartoon mascots may be waning, our appetite for premium convenience is not.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2NIELSENIQnielseniq.comVisit source
- Reference 3ERSers.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 4OTAota.comVisit source
- Reference 5SUPERMARKETNEWSsupermarketnews.comVisit source
- Reference 6USDAusda.govVisit source
- Reference 7IRIiri.comVisit source
- Reference 8PRIVATE-LABEL-NEWSprivate-label-news.comVisit source
- Reference 9EMARKETERemarketer.comVisit source
- Reference 10GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 11TRADEtrade.govVisit source
- Reference 12CIRCANAcircana.comVisit source
- Reference 13MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 14MARKETRESEARCHmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 15FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 16RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 17MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 18MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 19EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 20FUTUREMARKETINSIGHTSfuturemarketinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 21ALLIEDMARKETRESEARCHalliedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 22TRANSPARENCYMARKETRESEARCHtransparencymarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 23PERSISTENCEMARKETRESEARCHpersistencemarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 24IBEFibef.orgVisit source
- Reference 25SKYQUESTTskyquestt.comVisit source
- Reference 26IRir.kellanova.comVisit source
- Reference 27INVESTORSinvestors.generalmills.comVisit source
- Reference 28POSTHOLDINGSpostholdings.comVisit source
- Reference 29NESTLEnestle.comVisit source
- Reference 30PEPSICOpepsico.comVisit source
- Reference 31GENERALMILLSgeneralmills.comVisit source
- Reference 32NATURESPATHnaturespath.comVisit source
- Reference 33POSTCONSUMERBRANDSpostconsumerbrands.comVisit source
- Reference 34KELLOGGSkelloggs.comVisit source
- Reference 35NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 36INNOVAMARKETINSIGHTSinnovamarketinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 37FDAfda.govVisit source
- Reference 38IFICific.orgVisit source
- Reference 39PLANTBASEDNEWSplantbasednews.orgVisit source
- Reference 40COMMON-SENSE-MEDIAcommon-sense-mediaVisit source
- Reference 41LOYALTY360loyalty360.orgVisit source
- Reference 42POWERREVIEWSpowerreviews.comVisit source
- Reference 43DIABETESdiabetes.orgVisit source
- Reference 44DIGITALCOMMERCE360digitalcommerce360.comVisit source
- Reference 45CLUBSTOREINSIGHTSclubstoreinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 46CSPDAILYNEWScspdailynews.comVisit source
- Reference 47DOLLARSTOREGROWTHdollarstoregrowth.comVisit source
- Reference 48CORPORATEcorporate.walmart.comVisit source
- Reference 49NRAnra.orgVisit source
- Reference 50WHOLEFOODSMARKETwholefoodsmarket.comVisit source