Conagra Brands and market research firm Circana this week released the 2025 edition of their annual Future of Snacking report, a data-driven look at the $148.6 billion U.S. snacking market and the evolving trends shaping consumer behavior.
The report identifies five key trends that are shaping snacking behaviors and influencing how consumers navigate an increasingly diverse snack landscape:
1.Flavor Explosion: Classic favorites 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-fueled trends, including pickle-flavored-everything, are influencing both retail and foodservice menus, signaling 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 flavors like gochujang, sweet chili and mango habanero, reflecting a shift toward multicultural taste exploration.4
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 fueling growth, with co-branded snacks generating nearly $2.1 billion in combined annual sales. Flavorful collaborations with fan-favorite sauces, candy 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.
Conagra has a significant snacking portfolio, which includes such brands as Slim Jim meat snacks, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, David Seeds, Angie’s Boomchickapop and Snack Pack desserts.
“We’ve seen a transformation in consumer snacking habits in recent years,” said Bob Nolan, senior vice president of demand science at Conagra Brands. “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. Today’s consumers want bold flavors, better-for-you options, and choices that bring both taste and purpose.”
The full report can be viewed here.
About the Author
Dave Fusaro
Editor in Chief
Dave Fusaro has served as editor in chief of Food Processing magazine since 2003. Dave has 30 years experience in food & beverage industry journalism and has won several national ASBPE writing awards for his Food Processing stories. Dave has been interviewed on CNN, quoted in national newspapers and he authored a 200-page market research report on the milk industry. Formerly an award-winning newspaper reporter who specialized in business writing, he holds a BA in journalism from Marquette University. Prior to joining Food Processing, Dave was Editor-In-Chief of Dairy Foods and was Managing Editor of Prepared Foods.