KANSAS CITY — The snack bar market has been on a steady incline over the past two years and is set to surge well into the next four, according to market research company Research & Markets. The U.S. snack bar market was valued at $6.8 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $8.8 billion by 2023.
“Consumer demand for convenient and healthy on-the-go snack options has by far been the primary attribute for sales of snack bars in the U.S.,” Research & Markets said. “The changing lifestyle of consumers involving the consumption of smaller meals is further leading to the increased consumption of snacks, which is expected to propel the demand for snack bars. Owing to the availability of a wide range of flavors within various snack bar categories, the demand in the U.S. for snack bars grew considerably.”
General Mills, Inc. is taking a bite out of the snack bar segment with its new Nature Valley Crispy Creamy Wafer Bars. Available in peanut butter and peanut butter chocolate varieties, the bars consist of layers of wafers, peanut butter and oats on top. The peanut butter chocolate flavor is topped with oats and a layer of chocolate. Individually wrapped for on-the-go consumption, the bars contain 200 calories apiece.
“Consumer preference for clean label ingredients is evidently high,” Research & Markets said. “Snack bars have various opportunities within functional ingredients, reduced sugar, savory spins and plant proteins, which is a fueling factor for the growth of the U.S. snack bar market.”
“Consumer demand for convenient and healthy on-the-go snack options has by far been the primary attribute for sales of snack bars in the U.S." — Research & Markets
Peanut butter provides the plant protein in the J.M. Smucker Co.’s two new Jif Power Ups bar lines: Soft Baked and Triple Stacked. The bars are all individually wrapped and contain five grams of protein and two grams of fiber each.
Jif Power Ups Soft Baked Bars contain 170 to 180 calories per bar and come in banana, chocolate, peanut butter and snickerdoodle flavors.
Jif Power Ups Stacked Bars feature three layers and contain 180 calories per bar. The layered bars are available in Epic Chocolate, Heroic Honey and Super S’mores varieties.
“The U.S. snack bar consumption has witnessed a spurring increase in demand among consumers, due to appropriate positioning of these products,” Research & Markets said. “The market has snack bar products for every occasion, ranging from energy bars for workouts to fruit and nut bars for satiety.”
New from Clif Bar & Co. are Clif Whole Lotta Bars, made with fruit, nuts and seeds. The soft-baked bars each provide 10 grams of plant-based protein and are gluten-free, dairy-free, U.S.D.A. certified organic and non-G.M.O.
The tart cherry almond flavor features tart dried cherries, roasted whole almonds, pumpkin seeds, dates, sesame seeds, cashew butter and sea salt.
The salted dark chocolate bar contains a blend of sea salt, dark chocolate and cinnamon combined with almonds, pumpkin seeds, dates and cashew butter.
The roasted peanut chocolate variety includes roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, dates and sea salt.
The spiced ginger almond bar is made with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, almonds, pumpkin seeds, coconut, dates and cashew butter.
