Explore the latest innovation in salty snacks and fruit mixes with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across regions EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Key innovation trends in the snacking category are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.
This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global snacks market. Understanding innovation in salty snacks and fruit mixes has never been so easy.
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Mikolaj Kaczorowski. Mikolaj has 8 years experience working at Mintel and is responsible for analysing new product launches in food, drink and household categories, tying these back to consumer insights, and identifying emerging NPD trends.
Flavour and texture are key innovation areas for salty snacks, while clean label and better-for-you recipes are flourishing.
Mikolaj Kaczorowski
Innovation Analyst
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- The Future of Salty Snacks: 2025
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: unique ingredients and flavours drive salty snack innovation
- Consumers are keen for snack brands to innovate with new ingredients
- Unique ingredients help these snacks stand out from the crowd
- Snack brands are drawing flavour inspiration from global cuisines, trendy teas and alcoholic cocktails
- Europe: high-protein claims are growing in salty snack launches
- Consumers are seeking out high-protein snack options
- High-protein claims surge in bean-based snacks
- Graph 1: bean-based snack launches, by share of high/added protein claim, 2020-25
- Protein content takes centre stage on these bean-based snacks
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Snack brands innovative around texture, flavour and ingredients
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: snack brands are addressing concerns around additives and preservatives
- Consumers are seeking out less-processed and more-natural salty snacks
- No additive/preservative claims are gradually growing in salty snacks and fruit mix launches
- Snack brands highlight additive- and preservative- free recipes
- Brand renovation/innovation: Natori Ochi De Nomo launches snacks that are enhanced when paired with an alcoholic drink
- Asia: snack brands are dialling up texture messaging
- Consumers in China are keen for chewy and crispy snacks
- Crunchy snacks dominate launches in the region
- Graph 2: salty snacks and fruit mixes launches, by share of texture, 2020-25
- Snack brands are increasingly highlighting texture in on-pack messaging
- Australia & New Zealand
- Salty snack brands are launching seasonal and limited editions
- Snack manufacturers are partnering with iconic food brands to create unique flavour combinations
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: salty snack and fruit mix brands highlight better-for-you claims
- Consumers are looking for snacks that are both tasty and nutritious
- High protein and fibre claims are most established in the bean-based and vegetable snack categories
- Graph 3: salty snacks and fruit mixes launches, by share of select claims, 2024-25
- Snack brands innovate with high fibre, protein and nutrient-enriched options
- North America: seasonal and limited-edition snacks are exciting areas of innovation
- Consumers are keen to see seasonal and limited-edition snacks
- Seasonal and limited-edition salty snacks remain relatively niche
- Graph 4: salty snacks and fruit mixes launches, by share of select claims, 2020-25
- Snack brands launch snacks with flavours inspired by popular culture and holiday foods
- Brand renovation/innovation: Realsy launches nut-butter-stuffed dates
- Latin America
- Consumers are looking for snacks with benefits
- Graph 5: salty snacks and fruit mixes launches, by share of functional claim category, 2020-25
- Snack brands highlight functional benefits
What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?
To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.
How We Analyse a Year of Innovation
By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.
A Deep Dive into Product Launches
The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.
Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)
Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.
Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts
Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.
For a more detailed look at a Year of Innovation report, take a look at a sample PDF report below.
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables have been redacted.
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