Explore the latest innovation in snack bars in 2024 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 global snack bar market 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 snack bars market. Understanding innovation in snack bars has never been so easy.
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst at Mintel. 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.
Nutrition and better-for-you claims are trending in snack bars, with a particular emphasis on protein.
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
- Global spotlight: chocolate leads snack bar flavour innovation
- Graph 1: [no title]
- The Future of Snack Bars: 2025
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: brands are tapping into consumer interest in better-for-you snack bars
- Consumers are looking for healthier versions of snack bars
- Private label snack bar launches lag behind branded in better-for-you claims
- Graph 2: % of private label and branded snack bar launches by share of select claims, 2024/25
- Protein, collagen and nutrient fortification feature in these private label snack bars
- Branded snack bar launches are infused with adaptogens, protein and fibre
- Brand renovation/innovation: Danone expands its HiPRO brand into the snack bar category
- Europe: textures play a key role in snack bar innovation
- Consumers are seeking out novel sensory experiences
- Crunchy textures lead snack bar innovation in the region, with soft textures growing
- Graph 3: share of snack bar launches, by top five textures, 2024/25
- Snack bar brands offer consumers a diversity of texture options
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Consumers are seeking out more natural snack bars
- Snack bar brands highlight recipes with natural and organic ingredients
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: brands are tapping into demand for snack bars with nutritional benefits
- Consumers are looking for a nutritional boost from snack bars
- Protein and fibre claims are trending
- Graph 4: % of snack bar launches with a high/added protein or fibre claim, 2020-25
- Protein messaging takes centre stage in these snack bar launches
- Asia: brands respond to consumer demand for reduced-sugar snack bars
- Sugar content is a concern for snack bar consumers
- No added sugar claims are growing in snack bar launches in the region
- Graph 5: % of snack bar launches with a sugar related claim, 2020-25
- Snack bar brands are keen to highlight no sugar recipes
- Australia & New Zealand
- Chocolate flavours grow in snack bar launches in Australia and New Zealand
- Graph 6: % of snack bar launches with the chocolate flavour component subgroup, 2020-25
- Chocolate flavours are popular in snack bar launches in the region
- Brand renovation/innovation: Uncle Tobys launches snack bars with flavours inspired by popular chocolate bars
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: high-protein claims are growing in snack bar launches
- Consumers are seeking out high-protein snack options
- High protein claims record a jump in snack bar launches
- Peanut butter and chocolate feature prominently in high protein snack bars
- North America: natural snack bar recipes are in demand
- Consumers are looking for snack bars with simple ingredients
- Natural claims have stalled in snack bar launches
- Graph 7: % of snack bar launches with select natural claims, 2020-25
- Snack bar brands highlight additive-free and minimal ingredient recipes
- Brand renovation/innovation: Joolies launch flavoured date and nut energy bites
- Latin America
- Protein leads better-for-you claims in snack bar launches in Latin America
- Graph 8: % of snack bar launches with select plus claims, 2020-25
- Snack bar brands highlight fibre and protein rich formulations
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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