Savoury Snacks in Canada

PROSPECTS

Strong demand for indulgent snacks balances flagging demand over health concerns

Demand for savoury snacks remained strong in 2019 as consumers sought indulgence from products that do not necessarily contain a lot of added sugar. With snacking on the rise, the category was able to maintain positive sales growth during the year as constantly evolving consumer habits are inherently favourable for all types of snacks.

Categories with healthier options likely to continue seeing positive growth

Nuts, seeds and trail mixes and vegetable, pulse and bread chips continued to register strong sales growth in 2019 and this was largely due to public perceptions of the superior naturalness and higher nutritional value of these products. In addition, strong innovation and numerous new launches towards the end of the review period also contributed to the solid performances of these categories in 2019.

The range of products widens to cater for broadening consumer demand

Meat snacks emerged strongly in other savoury snacks in 2019, part of a general movement towards a more diverse range of savoury snacks. While increasing interest in vegan and vegetarian diets and lifestyles is exerting considerable pressure on sales of all food products containing meat, it is a simple fact that meat remains a key source of protein for many Canadians.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Mainstream international brands continue to dominate sales, with Frito-Lay on top

Frito-Lay Canada remained by far the leading player in savoury snacks in 2019 due to its numerous major international brands giving it a strong presence in major categories such as potato chips, tortilla chips and popcorn. The company’s core brands in the category include some of the most iconic names in global snack foods, including Cheetos and Doritos.

Popcorn transitions from neglected category of basic products to site of innovation

Popcorn experienced considerable development over the course of the review period as it left behind its image as a category dominated by basic, low-cost products to one in which innovation has become a crucial element of the commercial strategies of the leading players. The main factor supporting the category’s performance has been the healthy image that popcorn has been able to maintain at a time when public health concerns over the salt and fat content of savoury snacks is rising significantly.

Rise of meat snacks shakes up the competitive environment in other savoury snacks

Meat snacks continued to attract the interest of higher numbers of consumers in 2019. This led to more interest in these products among a wide range of companies and this led to changes in the competitive environment in other savoury snacks.

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