Europe Snack Bar Market Size

The Europe Snack Bar Market is projected to experience significant growth, with supermarkets and hypermarkets dominating the distribution channels, largely due to strategic product placement that encourages impulse buying. Convenience stores also play a crucial role, benefiting from their accessibility in urban and rural areas. The online retail segment is emerging as the fastest-growing channel, driven by consumer preferences for familiar products. The United Kingdom and Italy are key markets, with a substantial share of the market value. The demand for healthy and convenient snacking options is a primary driver of market expansion, particularly in the protein bar segment, which is witnessing rapid growth across the region.

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Market Size of europe snack bar Industry

Europe Snack Bar Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2018 - 2030
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 3.64 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2030) USD 5.64 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by Distribution Channel Supermarket/Hypermarket
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2030) 7.57 %
svg icon Largest Share by Country United Kingdom

Major Players

Europe Snack Bar Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

WHY BUY FROM US?

1. CRISP & INSIGHTFUL
2. TRUE BOTTOM-UP
3. EXHAUSTIVENESS
4. TRANSPARENCY
5. CONVENIENCE

Europe Snack Bar Market Analysis

The Europe Snack Bar Market size is estimated at 3.64 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 5.64 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.57% during the forecast period (2024-2030).

3.64 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

5.64 Billion

Market Size in 2030 (USD)

5.71 %

CAGR (2018-2023)

7.57 %

CAGR (2024-2030)

Largest Segment by Confectionery Variant

54.29 %

value share, Cereal Bar, 2023

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There is a growing popularity of cereal bars in European countries, which have become a desirable dietary component suitable for consumption at any time and popular option.

Largest Segment by Distribution Channel

56.19 %

value share, Supermarket/Hypermarket, 2023

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The growth of the segment in the region is largely driven by the existence of an inviting place for customers to shop, as they are constantly drawn to make large purchases.

Fastest-growing Segment by Confectionery variant

8.72 %

Projected CAGR, Fruit & Nut Bar, 2024-2030

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Many consumers are reaching for protein bars to supplement their regular eating habits, while some time-pressed consumers even substitute a bar or two for a snack.

Fastest-growing Segment by Distribution Channel

8.62 %

Projected CAGR, Online Retail Store, 2024-2030

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The ability to use online marketing tools to target new customers and website analysis tools to gain insight into regional product-specific consumers is driving the segment.

Leading Market Player

15 %

market share, Kellogg Company, 2022

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Product diversity in the sector, making innovative bars with varied protein content for a wide range of consumers, aided Kellogg's to occupy the market share in the market.

Supermarkets/hypermarkets and convenience stores collectively hold more than 80% value share for sales of snack bars due to their strong presence across the region

  • Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the largest channels in the European snack bar market. The channel held the major share of 56% by value in the overall distribution channels segment for the European snack bar market. Strategic product positioning on the dedicated shelves for the snack bar category influences impulse purchase behavior among potential consumers. Carrefour, Super U, Tesco, Asda, and Lidl are some of the leading grocery store operators in the region. For instance, as of March 2023, Tesco and Asda had 3,456 stores in the United Kingdom. The major factors behind the popularity of this channel were attractive discount offers, loyalty program schemes, and cashback schemes.
  • Convenience stores are the second most widely preferred distribution channels after supermarkets and hypermarkets to purchase snack bars. The volume sales of snack bars through convenience stores is estimated to register a 33.22% volume share in 2024 due to their presence in the streets of urban and rural areas. Consumers consider it important for a grocery store to be located near their home or office. Thus, sales of snack bar products happen widely through the channel across the region.
  • The online retail channel is considered the fastest-growing segment across the country. Snack bar sales are anticipated to grow through these channels at a rate of 7.20% from 2023 to 2024 due to consumer's preference for buying on the Internet, especially the goods they are familiar with, such as confectioneries, in terms of the manufacturer’s name, brand positioning, image, and packaging design.
Europe Snack Bar Market

Snack bar consumption is soaring in the UK, Germany, and France, driving market growth during the forecast period

  • The United Kingdom and Italy are identified as the major markets in the region, followed by Italy, Germany, and the Rest of Europe. The United Kingdom and Italy collectively accounted for 53.03% share of the overall snack bar sales value across the region in 2023. Consumer preference for healthy and convenient indulgent snacking is identified as the key market driver in the region. In 2021, 33% of French consumers consumed cereal bars at work during the day, while 26% of consumers consumed them around physical activity.
  • The consumption of granola/cereal/snack bars is pervasive among bar consumers. In 2022, more than half (58%) of United Kingdom consumers, 44% of Germans, and 30% of France consumers snacked between meals, including snack bars as one of the on-the-go snacks. During 2021-2022, around 96% UK population consumed granola/cereal/snack bars at least occasionally. The consumption of granola/cereal/snack bars and candy bars had increased by 25% during the same period compared to former years. The snack bar consumption in Europe is anticipated to reach a market value of 4277.67 million in 2027, with a value growth of 20% during 2024-2027.
  • Protein bars are the fastest-growing snack bar type in the region, with an anticipated CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period, reaching a market value of USD 1.6 billion by 2030 in Europe. In 2023, the UK, Russia, France, and Germany remained the major protein-consuming countries with a combined value share of 86%, owing to the access to different fitness activities in gyms across the countries. In 2021, there were 535 climbing gyms across Germany. During 2021-2022, for one in three protein bar consumers in the United Kingdom “high protein” remained an important attribute among the bar consumers.

Europe Snack Bar Industry Segmentation

Cereal Bar, Fruit & Nut Bar, Protein Bar are covered as segments by Confectionery Variant. Convenience Store, Online Retail Store, Supermarket/Hypermarket, Others are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom are covered as segments by Country.

  • Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the largest channels in the European snack bar market. The channel held the major share of 56% by value in the overall distribution channels segment for the European snack bar market. Strategic product positioning on the dedicated shelves for the snack bar category influences impulse purchase behavior among potential consumers. Carrefour, Super U, Tesco, Asda, and Lidl are some of the leading grocery store operators in the region. For instance, as of March 2023, Tesco and Asda had 3,456 stores in the United Kingdom. The major factors behind the popularity of this channel were attractive discount offers, loyalty program schemes, and cashback schemes.
  • Convenience stores are the second most widely preferred distribution channels after supermarkets and hypermarkets to purchase snack bars. The volume sales of snack bars through convenience stores is estimated to register a 33.22% volume share in 2024 due to their presence in the streets of urban and rural areas. Consumers consider it important for a grocery store to be located near their home or office. Thus, sales of snack bar products happen widely through the channel across the region.
  • The online retail channel is considered the fastest-growing segment across the country. Snack bar sales are anticipated to grow through these channels at a rate of 7.20% from 2023 to 2024 due to consumer's preference for buying on the Internet, especially the goods they are familiar with, such as confectioneries, in terms of the manufacturer’s name, brand positioning, image, and packaging design.
Confectionery Variant
Cereal Bar
Fruit & Nut Bar
Protein Bar
Distribution Channel
Convenience Store
Online Retail Store
Supermarket/Hypermarket
Others
Country
Belgium
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Russia
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
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Europe Snack Bar Market Size Summary

The Europe Snack Bar Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by changing consumer preferences for convenient and healthier snacking options. Supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate the distribution channels, with strategic product placements enhancing impulse purchases. Convenience stores also play a crucial role due to their accessibility in urban and rural areas. The online retail segment is rapidly expanding, reflecting a shift towards digital shopping for familiar products like snack bars. The United Kingdom and Italy are key markets, with a strong consumer inclination towards protein bars, which are the fastest-growing segment in the region. This growth is supported by the increasing popularity of fitness activities and the demand for high-protein snacks.

The market is characterized by a diverse range of snack bar formats, including protein, fruit and nut, and cereal bars, with manufacturers continuously innovating to cater to evolving consumer tastes. The market is fragmented, with major players like General Mills, Kellogg, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, and Post Holdings holding significant shares. Recent industry developments include new product launches and strategic acquisitions aimed at enhancing product offerings and expanding market reach. The focus on 'better-for-you' snacks and sustainable packaging solutions is shaping the future of the market, as consumers increasingly seek snacks that offer a balance of taste, nutrition, and convenience.

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Europe Snack Bar Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD and Volume, Forecasts up to 2030 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Confectionery Variant

      1. 1.1.1 Cereal Bar

      2. 1.1.2 Fruit & Nut Bar

      3. 1.1.3 Protein Bar

    2. 1.2 Distribution Channel

      1. 1.2.1 Convenience Store

      2. 1.2.2 Online Retail Store

      3. 1.2.3 Supermarket/Hypermarket

      4. 1.2.4 Others

    3. 1.3 Country

      1. 1.3.1 Belgium

      2. 1.3.2 France

      3. 1.3.3 Germany

      4. 1.3.4 Italy

      5. 1.3.5 Netherlands

      6. 1.3.6 Russia

      7. 1.3.7 Spain

      8. 1.3.8 Switzerland

      9. 1.3.9 Turkey

      10. 1.3.10 United Kingdom

      11. 1.3.11 Rest of Europe

Europe Snack Bar Market Size FAQs

The Europe Snack Bar Market size is expected to reach USD 3.64 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 7.57% to reach USD 5.64 billion by 2030.

In 2024, the Europe Snack Bar Market size is expected to reach USD 3.64 billion.

Europe Snack Bar Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030