Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), the maker of iconic snacks including Slim Jim® meat snacks, Orville Redenbacher’s® popcorn, DAVID® Seeds, Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP® popcorn, and Snack Pack® desserts, released its inaugural Future of Snacking 2025 report. Leveraging Conagra’s cutting-edge demand science and insights expertise, in partnership with Circana LLC, the report provides a data-driven look at the $148.6 billion U.S. snacking market and the evolving trends shaping consumer behaviour.
The report identifies five key trends that are shaping snacking behaviours and influencing how consumers navigate an increasingly diverse snack landscape. While focused on the U.S. market, the report also covers relevant global snacking trends and behaviours.
“We’ve seen a transformation in consumer snacking habits in recent years. Snacking has evolved from a simple between-meal habit into a lifestyle, and winning in this space means delivering the right food at the right time,” said Bob Nolan, senior vice president of demand science at Conagra Brands. “Today’s consumers want bold flavours, better-for-you options, and choices that bring both taste and purpose. Our Future of Snacking report shows emerging trends and how Conagra is helping shape that future.”
2025 Emerging Trends:
1. Flavour Explosion: Classic favourites like sea salt, BBQ, and nacho cheese remain top sellers, but bold newcomers – sriracha, garlic parmesan, and hot honey – are driving rapid growth. Social media-fuelled trends, including pickle-flavoured-everything, are influencing both retail and foodservice menus, signalling consumer demand for adventurous taste experiences.
2. Snacking Without Borders: Globally inspired snacks are booming, with retail sales hitting $5.7 billion and 22% volume growth over the past three years. Younger consumers are driving interest in flavours like gochujang, sweet chilli, and mango habanero, reflecting a shift towards multicultural taste exploration.
3. Better-for-You Snacking: Protein-forward, portion-controlled, and nutrient-dense snacks are on the rise—especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Subcategories like meat sticks, nuts, seeds, and probiotic-enhanced snacks are outpacing total category growth, and “grass-fed” and “gut health” claims are resonating with wellness-focused shoppers.
4. Co-Branded Bites: Strategic partnerships with restaurant, retail, and entertainment brands are fuelling growth, with co-branded snacks generating nearly $2.1 billion in combined annual sales. Flavourful collaborations with fan-favourite sauces, confectionery brands, and more are bringing instant recognition and craveable appeal to the snack aisle.
5. Snacks on the Go: Convenience in snacking isn’t just about grab-and-go packaging anymore; it’s about being everywhere consumers are. In fact, convenience is driving consumption, with away-from-home snack occasions projected to grow 39% by 2027. From bulk-buys online, to snack-sized treats at store checkouts, snacks are winning by showing up in more places, more often, in the right format for every occasion.
Read more latest industry news and developments in our free to download magazine.
Never miss a story…follow us on:
LinkedIn: International Snacks
X: @IntSnacks
Media Contact
Joseph Clarke
Editor, International Snacks
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: [email protected]
