Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. snack food manufacturing industry generated total revenue of $49.2 billion, marking a 3.8% increase from 2022.
- The global snack food market size reached $512.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $712.6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.8%.
- North America's snack food market accounted for 28.5% of global revenue in 2023, driven by high consumption of potato chips and extruded snacks.
- In 2023, U.S. snack food plants produced 2.45 billion pounds of potato chips annually.
- Global potato chip production reached 4.2 million metric tons in 2023.
- U.S. manufacturers extruded 1.8 billion pounds of snack foods in 2023.
- In 2023, 65% of U.S. consumers ate snacks daily, averaging 2.3 occasions per day.
- Global per capita snack consumption reached 12.4 kg in 2023.
- U.S. potato chip sales volume was 1.8 billion pounds in retail channels 2023.
- In 2023, U.S. snack food industry employed 62,450 workers.
- Average hourly wage in U.S. snack manufacturing $22.45 in 2023.
- Global snack industry workforce estimated at 2.1 million in 2023.
- Global low-sodium snack trend drove 15% sales growth 2023.
- Plant-based snacks captured 12% U.S. market share in 2023.
- Air-fried snack innovations boosted sales 22% YoY globally 2023.
The global snack food industry is a multibillion-dollar market experiencing steady growth across regions.
Consumption and Sales
- In 2023, 65% of U.S. consumers ate snacks daily, averaging 2.3 occasions per day.
- Global per capita snack consumption reached 12.4 kg in 2023.
- U.S. potato chip sales volume was 1.8 billion pounds in retail channels 2023.
- 42% of global snack sales came from convenience stores in 2023.
- U.S. online snack sales grew 18.4% to $6.7 billion in 2023.
- India snack consumption per capita hit 4.2 kg in 2023.
- 78% of U.S. households purchased tortilla chips in 2023.
- Global popcorn consumption volume was 950,000 tons in 2023.
- Europe savory snack sales revenue €95.2 billion in 2023.
- U.S. pretzel sales increased 3.7% to $1.9 billion in 2023.
- 55% of Chinese consumers snacked 3+ times weekly in 2023.
- Brazil snack sales through supermarkets hit $15.4 billion 2023.
- U.S. nut snack consumption per capita 2.1 kg in 2023.
- 62% of Gen Z bought healthy snacks monthly in 2023 globally.
- Mexico per capita snack intake 8.7 kg in 2023.
- U.K. crisp sales volume 550,000 tons in 2023.
- Global cheese snack sales $22.3 billion in 2023.
- 49% U.S. sales from multi-pack snack formats 2023.
- Japan rice cracker consumption 1.2 kg per capita 2023.
- Australia snack sales grew 5.2% to $8.9B in 2023.
- Vegan snack sales up 22% globally to $13.2B 2023.
- U.S. convenience store snack sales $14.7B in 2023.
- Organic snack consumption 15% household penetration US 2023.
- Global jerky sales volume 420,000 tons 2023.
- France snack bar sales €2.1B in 2023.
- India namkeen consumption 650,000 tons 2023.
- U.S. single-serve snack packs sold 1.2B units 2023.
- Thailand snack consumption per capita 6.8 kg 2023.
- Canada chip sales $3.4B CAD in 2023.
- U.S. snack dollar sales share: chips 38% in 2023.
Consumption and Sales Interpretation
Employment and Economics
- In 2023, U.S. snack food industry employed 62,450 workers.
- Average hourly wage in U.S. snack manufacturing $22.45 in 2023.
- Global snack industry workforce estimated at 2.1 million in 2023.
- U.S. snack plants averaged 45 employees per facility in 2023.
- India's snack sector employed 450,000 people in 2023.
- Profit margin for U.S. snack manufacturers averaged 6.8% in 2023.
- Europe snack manufacturing jobs totaled 180,000 in 2023.
- Cost of goods sold represented 68% of revenue in U.S. snacks 2023.
- China snack industry labor force 850,000 workers 2023.
- U.S. snack export jobs supported 12,500 positions in 2023.
- Brazil snack manufacturing employed 95,000 in 2023.
- Average U.S. snack plant productivity $780,000 revenue/employee 2023.
- Mexico snack sector workforce 120,000 in 2023.
- U.K. savory snacks employed 25,000 workers 2023.
- Global snack industry EBITDA margin averaged 12.4% in 2023.
- Japan snack manufacturing jobs 65,000 in 2023.
- U.S. wages and benefits cost 28% of expenses in snacks 2023.
- Australia snack industry employed 18,000 in 2023.
- Investment in U.S. snack automation saved 5,200 jobs equivalent 2023.
- France snack employment 32,000 workers 2023.
- Snack industry R&D spending $1.2B globally in 2023.
- U.S. part-time snack workers 15% of total employment 2023.
- Thailand snack manufacturing labor 45,000 in 2023.
- Canada snack jobs totaled 22,000 in 2023.
- U.S. snack industry enterprise value $120B in 2023.
Employment and Economics Interpretation
Market Size and Growth
- In 2023, the U.S. snack food manufacturing industry generated total revenue of $49.2 billion, marking a 3.8% increase from 2022.
- The global snack food market size reached $512.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $712.6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.8%.
- North America's snack food market accounted for 28.5% of global revenue in 2023, driven by high consumption of potato chips and extruded snacks.
- The savory snacks segment dominated the global market with a 52.3% share in 2023, valued at $268.1 billion.
- U.S. snack food industry revenue grew by 4.2% annually from 2018 to 2023, reaching $47.8 billion in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific snack food market expanded at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2023, valued at $178.9 billion in 2023.
- Europe's snack food sector revenue hit €112.4 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 3.9% through 2028.
- The U.S. tortilla chip market within snacks reached $8.7 billion in 2023, growing 5.1% YoY.
- Global healthy snack food sub-market valued at $90.2 billion in 2023, expected to grow at 7.2% CAGR to 2030.
- In 2023, India's snack food industry revenue surged to $12.5 billion, with 8.4% CAGR since 2019.
- U.S. snack food manufacturing establishments numbered 1,234 in 2023, contributing to $49.2B revenue.
- Latin America's snack market grew to $45.6 billion in 2023 at 5.3% CAGR from 2018-2023.
- The global popcorn snack segment was worth $12.8 billion in 2023, projected 4.5% CAGR.
- China's snack food market hit $110.3 billion in 2023, leading Asia with 12% YoY growth.
- U.S. pretzel manufacturing revenue reached $2.1 billion in 2023, up 3.2% from prior year.
- Organic snack food global market valued at $25.4 billion in 2023, CAGR 9.1% forecast.
- Brazil's snack food industry revenue was $18.7 billion in 2023, growing 6.2% annually.
- Global nut-based snacks market sized at $42.3 billion in 2023, 5.7% CAGR expected.
- U.S. snack food export value hit $4.2 billion in 2023, up 7.1% YoY.
- Middle East & Africa snack market reached $28.9 billion in 2023, CAGR 4.9%.
- The U.S. corn chip segment revenue was $6.5 billion in 2023, 4.8% growth.
- Vegan snack food market globally valued $15.7 billion in 2023, 10.2% CAGR projected.
- Japan's snack market revenue stood at $22.4 billion in 2023, 3.5% YoY increase.
- Global extruded snacks market hit $68.2 billion in 2023, 5.4% CAGR to 2030.
- U.S. snack nuts revenue was $7.8 billion in 2023, growing 4.1%.
- Australia/New Zealand snack market valued $9.6 billion in 2023, 4.7% CAGR.
- Puffed snacks global market size $35.1 billion in 2023, 6.3% growth forecast.
- Mexico's snack food industry revenue reached $10.2 billion in 2023, 5.9% YoY.
- Gluten-free snacks market worldwide $4.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 8.7%.
- U.K. savory snacks revenue was £6.3 billion in 2023, up 2.9%.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Production and Manufacturing
- In 2023, U.S. snack food plants produced 2.45 billion pounds of potato chips annually.
- Global potato chip production reached 4.2 million metric tons in 2023.
- U.S. manufacturers extruded 1.8 billion pounds of snack foods in 2023.
- Tortilla chip production in North America hit 1.1 million tons in 2023.
- Annual popcorn production worldwide was 1.2 million metric tons in 2023.
- U.S. pretzel production volume reached 850,000 tons in 2023.
- Global nut processing for snacks yielded 3.5 million tons in 2023.
- Corn-based snack production in India was 750,000 metric tons in 2023.
- U.S. factories manufactured 1.3 billion pounds of cheese puffs in 2023.
- Extruded snack production capacity in Europe was 2.1 million tons/year in 2023.
- Brazil produced 450,000 tons of fried snacks in 2023.
- Global baked snack production increased to 1.9 million tons in 2023.
- U.S. pork rind production was 120,000 tons in 2023.
- China manufactured 2.8 million tons of flavored chips in 2023.
- Mexican snack production (chicharrones etc.) hit 300,000 tons in 2023.
- U.S. vegetable chip production reached 50,000 tons in 2023.
- Global seaweed snack production was 45,000 metric tons in 2023.
- Australia produced 80,000 tons of savory snacks in 2023.
- U.K. crisp production volume was 650,000 tons in 2023.
- Japan extruded 400,000 tons of rice crackers in 2023.
- U.S. plantain chip production hit 25,000 tons in 2023.
- Global jerky snack production was 550,000 tons in 2023.
- France manufactured 120,000 tons of baked snacks in 2023.
- India’s banana chip production reached 150,000 tons in 2023.
- U.S. kale chip production volume was 8,000 tons in 2023.
- Thailand produced 200,000 tons of fish snacks in 2023.
- Global quinoa puff production was 12,000 tons in 2023.
- Canada’s poutine chip production hit 15,000 tons in 2023.
- U.S. average daily output per snack plant was 1,200 tons in 2023.
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
Trends and Innovations
- Global low-sodium snack trend drove 15% sales growth 2023.
- Plant-based snacks captured 12% U.S. market share in 2023.
- Air-fried snack innovations boosted sales 22% YoY globally 2023.
- Sustainable packaging adopted by 68% of snack brands in 2023.
- Functional snacks with protein grew 28% in sales 2023 US.
- Keto-friendly snacks market expanded 35% globally 2023.
- Upcycled ingredient snacks launched by 45 brands in 2023.
- Spicy flavor variants increased 19% in snack launches 2023.
- Zero-sugar snack options rose 41% in retail 2023 US.
- CBD-infused snacks appeared in 12 markets 2023.
- Ethnic fusion snacks grew 25% sales Asia 2023.
- Probiotic snack sales up 32% Europe 2023.
- Mini-size snack packs 55% of new products 2023.
- Insect-based protein snacks piloted in 8 countries 2023.
- Seaweed snacks global launches +150% 2023.
- Low-carb tortilla chips sales +27% US 2023.
- Collagen-enriched snacks emerged in 20 brands 2023.
- Regional flavor revivals (e.g., sriracha) +18% 2023.
- Ready-to-eat snack kits sales +40% 2023 global.
- Adaptogen-infused snacks in 15% premium segment 2023.
- Compostable packaging 30% adoption snacks 2023.
- High-fiber snack bars +24% sales US 2023.
- Nostalgic flavors (retro chips) +16% 2023.
- Meal-replacement snacks 20% growth Europe 2023.
- Fermented snack innovations +33% Asia 2023.
- AR packaging trials in 10 snack brands 2023.
- Nootropic snacks launched by 8 startups 2023.
- Heritage grain snacks (e.g., sorghum) +29% 2023.
Trends and Innovations Interpretation
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