GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Food Industry Statistics

Food marketing thrives online with social media, influencer, and sustainability focus.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global food marketing industry is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2025

Statistic 2

68% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on social media advertisements

Statistic 3

45% of consumers prefer brands that promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices

Statistic 4

37% of consumers aged 18-34 rely on Instagram for food inspiration

Statistic 5

78% of consumers look for online reviews before choosing a food service provider

Statistic 6

52% of consumers prefer personalized food marketing messages

Statistic 7

61% of purchase decisions are based on visual content, especially food images

Statistic 8

70% of consumers make food choices influenced by WHOLE (World Health Organization) health guidelines shared online

Statistic 9

48% of consumers aged 25-44 follow at least one food influencer on social media

Statistic 10

Sustainable packaging influences 65% of consumers’ purchasing decisions in the food industry

Statistic 11

80% of shoppers are more likely to purchase from brands that include detailed product information online

Statistic 12

30% of online food purchases are influenced by promotional discounts advertised via social media

Statistic 13

65% of consumers prefer to buy food products from local or regional brands

Statistic 14

90% of consumers trust peer recommendations over traditional advertising in the food industry

Statistic 15

25% increase in digital ad engagement for plant-based food products in 2023

Statistic 16

85% of consumers say sustainability claims on food packaging influence their purchasing decisions

Statistic 17

70% of consumers are influenced by online recipe content when purchasing food products

Statistic 18

75% of consumers have engaged with branded food recipes online

Statistic 19

32% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that promote health and wellness online

Statistic 20

68% of consumers follow at least one food brand on social media

Statistic 21

55% of consumers prefer to shop for food online rather than in-store

Statistic 22

40% of food companies use package design as a key marketing tool

Statistic 23

50% of consumers say they have purchased food products due to viral trends on TikTok

Statistic 24

61% of consumers say they appreciate brands that use eco-friendly and sustainable packaging

Statistic 25

66% of consumers are influenced by online food recipes shared by influencers or brands

Statistic 26

55% of consumers trust online videos more than traditional advertising when it comes to food products

Statistic 27

22% of consumers have participated in online food challenges or contests promoted by brands

Statistic 28

53% of consumers prefer to see behind-the-scenes content from food brands

Statistic 29

60% of online food shoppers are influenced by detailed product reviews and photos

Statistic 30

Food-related content generates 4x higher engagement than other types of content on social media platforms

Statistic 31

60% of food companies utilize targeted email marketing campaigns

Statistic 32

The average food brand spends approximately $50,000 annually on digital marketing

Statistic 33

Video content increases conversion rates for food products by 85%

Statistic 34

40% of food brand websites see increased engagement when incorporating user-generated content

Statistic 35

55% of meal prep companies find TikTok to be the most effective social platform for marketing

Statistic 36

The use of augmented reality (AR) in food marketing increased by 15% in 2023

Statistic 37

Mobile advertising accounts for 70% of digital food marketing budgets

Statistic 38

The average consumer exposure to food brand ads on social media is about 300 times per month

Statistic 39

Food subscription box services increased their marketing spending by 25% in 2023

Statistic 40

42% of food brands use podcasts as part of their content marketing strategy

Statistic 41

Email marketing open rates for food brands average around 20-25%

Statistic 42

48% of food marketers plan to increase their spend on virtual events and tastings in 2023

Statistic 43

65% of food brands have increased their social media advertising budget in the last year

Statistic 44

58% of food brands use data analytics to tailor their marketing efforts to local markets

Statistic 45

80% of food businesses aim to enhance their digital presence through SEO strategies

Statistic 46

70% of food brands plan to increase investments in digital content creation in the coming year

Statistic 47

47% of food brands report increased engagement after integrating storytelling into their marketing campaigns

Statistic 48

33% of consumers discover new food brands through targeted social media ads

Statistic 49

The use of influencer marketing in the food industry increased by 20% in 2023

Statistic 50

60% of food companies report an increase in online sales after implementing influencer collaborations

Statistic 51

54% of consumers consider nutritional transparency a key factor in food marketing

Statistic 52

73% of consumers are likely to trust food brands that share transparency about sourcing and ingredients

Statistic 53

35% of food brands use chatbot technology for customer engagement

Statistic 54

45% of food brands adopted AI-powered analytics to optimize marketing campaigns in 2023

Statistic 55

42% of food marketers utilize augmented reality (AR) features to enhance customer experience

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Key Highlights

The global food marketing industry is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2025
68% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on social media advertisements
45% of consumers prefer brands that promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices
Food-related content generates 4x higher engagement than other types of content on social media platforms
37% of consumers aged 18-34 rely on Instagram for food inspiration
The use of influencer marketing in the food industry increased by 20% in 2023
78% of consumers look for online reviews before choosing a food service provider
60% of food companies utilize targeted email marketing campaigns
The average food brand spends approximately $50,000 annually on digital marketing
52% of consumers prefer personalized food marketing messages
61% of purchase decisions are based on visual content, especially food images
Video content increases conversion rates for food products by 85%
40% of food brand websites see increased engagement when incorporating user-generated content

With the global food marketing industry projected to reach a staggering $2.4 trillion by 2025 and digital engagement soaring, it’s clear that innovative strategies like influencer collaborations, eco-friendly messaging, and immersive content are redefining how food brands connect with consumers online.

Consumer Behavior and Preferences

The global food marketing industry is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2025
68% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on social media advertisements
45% of consumers prefer brands that promote sustainability and eco-friendly practices
37% of consumers aged 18-34 rely on Instagram for food inspiration
78% of consumers look for online reviews before choosing a food service provider
52% of consumers prefer personalized food marketing messages
61% of purchase decisions are based on visual content, especially food images
70% of consumers make food choices influenced by WHOLE (World Health Organization) health guidelines shared online
48% of consumers aged 25-44 follow at least one food influencer on social media
Sustainable packaging influences 65% of consumers’ purchasing decisions in the food industry
80% of shoppers are more likely to purchase from brands that include detailed product information online
30% of online food purchases are influenced by promotional discounts advertised via social media
65% of consumers prefer to buy food products from local or regional brands
90% of consumers trust peer recommendations over traditional advertising in the food industry
25% increase in digital ad engagement for plant-based food products in 2023
85% of consumers say sustainability claims on food packaging influence their purchasing decisions
70% of consumers are influenced by online recipe content when purchasing food products
75% of consumers have engaged with branded food recipes online
32% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that promote health and wellness online
68% of consumers follow at least one food brand on social media
55% of consumers prefer to shop for food online rather than in-store
40% of food companies use package design as a key marketing tool
50% of consumers say they have purchased food products due to viral trends on TikTok
61% of consumers say they appreciate brands that use eco-friendly and sustainable packaging
66% of consumers are influenced by online food recipes shared by influencers or brands
55% of consumers trust online videos more than traditional advertising when it comes to food products
22% of consumers have participated in online food challenges or contests promoted by brands
53% of consumers prefer to see behind-the-scenes content from food brands
60% of online food shoppers are influenced by detailed product reviews and photos

Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

With the food industry's marketing pie expected to top $2.4 trillion by 2025, savvy brands are realizing that today's consumers, who trust peer reviews more than ads, crave sustainability, personalized messages, and visually appetizing content—especially on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok—that not only inspire their food choices but often turn digital trends into tangible sales.

Digital Marketing and Engagement Strategies

Food-related content generates 4x higher engagement than other types of content on social media platforms
60% of food companies utilize targeted email marketing campaigns
The average food brand spends approximately $50,000 annually on digital marketing
Video content increases conversion rates for food products by 85%
40% of food brand websites see increased engagement when incorporating user-generated content
55% of meal prep companies find TikTok to be the most effective social platform for marketing
The use of augmented reality (AR) in food marketing increased by 15% in 2023
Mobile advertising accounts for 70% of digital food marketing budgets
The average consumer exposure to food brand ads on social media is about 300 times per month
Food subscription box services increased their marketing spending by 25% in 2023
42% of food brands use podcasts as part of their content marketing strategy
Email marketing open rates for food brands average around 20-25%
48% of food marketers plan to increase their spend on virtual events and tastings in 2023
65% of food brands have increased their social media advertising budget in the last year
58% of food brands use data analytics to tailor their marketing efforts to local markets
80% of food businesses aim to enhance their digital presence through SEO strategies
70% of food brands plan to increase investments in digital content creation in the coming year
47% of food brands report increased engagement after integrating storytelling into their marketing campaigns
33% of consumers discover new food brands through targeted social media ads

Digital Marketing and Engagement Strategies Interpretation

In a digital culinary dance where food content garners quadruple the engagement and brands spend upwards of $50,000 annually to serve up captivating videos, AR, and localized data-driven stories—it's clear that in the food industry, you eat with your eyes, click with your taste buds, and increasingly, shop with your smartphone.

Influencer and Content Marketing

The use of influencer marketing in the food industry increased by 20% in 2023
60% of food companies report an increase in online sales after implementing influencer collaborations

Influencer and Content Marketing Interpretation

With influencer marketing surging by 20% in 2023 and 60% of food companies keener on online sales, it's clear that in the digital age, a well-placed hashtag is more essential than a chef's apron.

Sustainability and Transparency

54% of consumers consider nutritional transparency a key factor in food marketing
73% of consumers are likely to trust food brands that share transparency about sourcing and ingredients

Sustainability and Transparency Interpretation

With over half of consumers demanding nutritional transparency and nearly three-fourths trusting brands that disclose sourcing and ingredients, the food industry must prioritize honesty or risk losing their trust—and their market share.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

35% of food brands use chatbot technology for customer engagement
45% of food brands adopted AI-powered analytics to optimize marketing campaigns in 2023
42% of food marketers utilize augmented reality (AR) features to enhance customer experience

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

With nearly half of food brands deploying AI analytics and a significant portion embracing chatbots and AR, it's clear that the industry is savoring the digital transformation to spice up customer engagement and serve up smarter, more immersive marketing strategies.