Product Code: LA20022082
U.S. Food Market Outlook 2025 provides insight into consumer trends as well as their behaviors and motivations. This report focuses on growth opportunities with analysis from decades of food and beverage perspective. Provided are both predictions and recommendations that are designed to guide retailers, wholesalers, service providers as well as food processors, packaging firms and investors in making decisions for their business about the food market. The report discusses inflation, tariffs, the rise of weight loss medications and more.
Key topic areas include:
Increasing GLP-1 drug use is boosting demand for better-for-you food options, including lean proteins, nutrient-dense foods, and gut-healthy options.
The MAHA - Make America Healthy Again - movement's impacts will be seen particularly in calls to reduce artificial colors and certain preservative classes.
Consumers seeking value in an era of still high food prices are turning to private label options, even outside basic categories.
Moving beyond "protein in everything", opportunities exist in the better-for-you segment by adding fiber and reducing sugar.
Table of Content
CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- FOOD TRENDS
- Figure 1-1. Food Market Trends
- SCOPE
- METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 2: RECENT HISTORICAL TRENDS
- RISING PRICES: FROM SUPPLY CHAIN CRUNCHES TO INFLATION
- Many Consumers Are Concerned about Inflation and Rising Food Prices
- Table 2-1. Month-to-month changes in consumer price index (CPI) for all food items, 2022 - 2025 (percent change)
- Table 2-2. Consumer Concerns about Rising Food Prices, 2021 - 2024 (percent of consumers)
- Tariffs to Further Inflate US Food and Beverage Prices
- Rising Prices Impact Consumer Behavior
- Cutting Back on Household Expenses
- Table 2-3. Consumer Spending on "Extras", 2023 - 2024 (percent of consumers)
- Private Labels Are More Desirable as Prices Rise
- Table 2-4. Selected Private Label Department Dollar Sales Growth, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 (percent change)
- Table 2-5. Consumption Rates in last 6 months for Selected Store Brand Foods, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat selected product)
- The Vast Majority of Consumers Have Noticed the Rising Cost of Food, and Many Are Changing Their Purchasing Decisions
- Figure 2-1. Noticing the Rising Cost of Food and Beverages over the Past Year, 2024
- Figure 2-2. Impact of Rising Costs on Food/Beverage Purchasing, 2024
- Consumers Find Price More Important for Food Purchase Decisions in 2024
- Figure 2-3. Purchase Drivers for Food and Beverage Purchase Decisions, 2024
- Figure 2-4. Purchase Drivers for Food and Beverage Purchase Decisions by Household Income Bracket, 2024
- STRESS LEVELS AND IMPACT ON FOOD/BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION
- Figure 2-5. Stress Levels in the Last Six Months and Impact on Healthfulness of Food/Beverage Consumption, 2024
- Figure 2-6. Sources of Stress for Consumers Who Were Very or Somewhat Stressed in the Last Six Months, 2024
- Figure 2-7. Top Sources of Stress in the Last Six Months by Generation, 2024
- Figure 2-8. Happiness, Stress, and Health Status by Household Income Bracket, 2024
- Figure 2-9. Impact of Food Consumption on Mental or Emotional Well-Being, 2024
- SNACKING TRENDS
- Frequency of Snacking
- Table 2-6. Frequency of Snacking Habits on a Typical Weekday, 2024, 2025 (percent of consumers)
- Figure 2-10. Frequency of Snacking and Approaches Toward Snack/Portion Size, 2024
- Snacking Demographics
- Table 2-7. Always or Usually Eating Breakfast or Snacking More Than Once a Day by Demographic, 2024 (percent of consumers)
- Reasons for Snacking
- Table 2-8. Reasons for Snacking, 2024 & 2025 (percent of consumers)
- Figure 2-11. Top Motivations for Snacking, 2024
- Figure 2-12. Evening and Late Nigh Snack Choices, 2024
- "Snackification" of Meals
- Figure 2-13. Replacing Traditional Meals by Snacking or Eating Smaller Meals, 2024
- WEIGHT LOSS
- Figure 2-14. Motivations for Following Specific Eating Patterns or Diets in the Past Year, 2024
- Weight-loss Drugs
- Figure 2-15. Use of and Feelings Regarding GLP-1 or Other Weight Loss Drugs, 2025
- HOME COOKING REMAINS RELATIVELY HIGH
- Table 2-9. Home Cooking Behaviors, Agree Completely, 2014 - 2024 (% of US adults)
- Table 2-10. Food Prepared From Scratch In Last 6 Months, 2014 - 2024 (% of households that make food from scratch)
CHAPTER 3: OVERVIEW
- FOOD RETAIL SALES FORECAST
- Table 3-1. US Retail Dollar Sales by Top Food Categories, 2019, 2024 - 2029P (million dollars and percent change)
- Table 3-2. US Retail Dollar Sales by Top Food Categories, 2019 - 2024 (billion dollars and percent change)
- Table 3-3. US Retail Dollar and Volume Sales by Top Food Categories, 2019 - 2024 (percent annual change)
- Table 3-4. Annual Price Changes by Top Food Categories, 2020 - 2024 (percent change)
- DISTRIBUTION TRENDS
- E-Commerce
- Table 3-5. Purchased Groceries Over Internet in Last 30 days, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US adults)
CHAPTER 4: CEREAL
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market to Remain Slightly Over $13 Billion in 2029
- Table 4-1. US Cereal Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- Category Sales
- Table 4-2. US Cereal Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Snacking
- Comfort and nostalgia
- Healthier-for-you
- Mindful indulgence
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 5: CHOCOLATE CANDY
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Increases to Over $35 Billion in 2029
- Table 5-1. US Chocolate Candy Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- Segment Sales
- Table 5-2. US Chocolate Candy Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Influencer Inspired
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Mindful Indulgence
- Responsible NPD
- Plant-Based Chocolate
- CBD Infused
CHAPTER 6: COOKIES
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market to Nearly $19 Billion in 2029
- Table 6-1. US Cookies Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Cultural Cuisine
- Mindful Indulgence
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 7: FRESH BREAD
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Over $22 Billion in 2029
- Table 7-1. US Fresh Bread Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- Segment Sales
- Table 7-2. US Fresh Bread Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Healthier-for-you
- Specially Crafted
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Responsible NPD
- Cultural Cuisine
CHAPTER 8: FRESH PACKAGED SALADS
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Fresh Packaged Salad Sales Increasing to Over $8 Billion in 2029
- Table 8-1. US Fresh Packaged Salads Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pounds, and percent change)
- Segment Sales
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Packaged Salad Consumption Declines
- Table 8-2. Consumption Rates for Packaged Fresh Salad and Fresh Produce, 2014 - 2024 (percent of households)
- Most Packaged Salad Eaters Don't Consume That Often
- Table 8-3. Packages of Packaged Fresh Salad Eaten in Last 30 Days, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat packaged fresh salad)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- CEA-Indoor Farming
- Restaurant/Chef Quality at Home
- Convenience
- Flavor-forward
- Responsible NPD
- Cultural Cuisine
CHAPTER 9: FROZEN DINNERS/ENTREES
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Increasing to Nearly $16 Billion in 2029
- Table 9-1. US Frozen Dinners/Entrees Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- Category Sales
- Table 9-2. US Frozen Dinners/Entrees Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Segment, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Restaurant/Chef Quality at Home
- Plant-Based
- Cultural Cuisine
- Convenient Meal Prep
- Healthier-for-you
- Sensory Delight
- Comfort & Nostalgia
CHAPTER 10: FROZEN PIZZA
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Approaches $9 Billion in 2029
- Table 10-1. US Frozen Pizza Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pounds, and percent)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Frozen Pizza Eaten by Only Half of US Households
- Table 10-2. Consumption Rates for Frozen Pizza, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households)
- Frozen Pizzas Eaters Don't Eat Them That Often
- Table 10-3. Packages of Frozen Pizza Eaten in Last 30 Days, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat frozen pizza)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Restaurant/Chef Quality at Home
- Ultra-Indulgent
- Sensory Delight
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Healthier-for-you
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 11: ICE CREAM AND FROZEN NOVELTIES
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Increasing to Over $19 Billion in 2029
- Table 11-1. US Ice Cream and Frozen Novelties Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million units, and percent change)
- Category and Segment Sales
- Frozen Novelties Will Continue to Outperform Ice Cream
- Table 11-2. US Ice Cream and Frozen Novelties Retail Dollar Sales: By Category & Segment, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars and percent)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Regular (Full-Fat) Ice Cream Overwhelmingly Preferred
- Table 11-3. Types of Ice Cream/Gelato/Sherbet Eaten Most Often, 2017 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat ice cream/gelato/sherbet)
- Ice Cream/Gelato/Sherbet Eaters Don't Consume Much
- Table 11-4. Pints of Ice Cream/Gelato/Sherbet Eaten in Last 7 Days, 2016 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat ice cream/gelato/sherbet)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Mindful Indulgence
- Cultural Cuisine
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 12: MEAL & SNACK BARS
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Approaching $10 Billion in 2029
- Table 12-1. US Meal & Snack Bars Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pounds, and percent change)
- Category Sales
- Table 12-2. US Meal & Snack Bars Retail Sales: By Category, Segment 2019 - 2029 (million dollars)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Heaviest-Consuming Snack Bar Group Expands
- Table 12-3. Number of Breakfast/Cereal/Granola Bars Eaten in Last 30 Days, 2018 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat breakfast/cereal/granola bars)
- Key Brand Differences
- Table 12-4. Consumption Rates for Selected Brands of Breakfast/Cereal/Granola & Nutrition/Energy Bars, 2014 - 2024 (percent of households that eat bars)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Indulgence
- Healthier-For-You
- Sensory Delight
- Cultural Cuisine
- Kid-Focused
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 13: MEAT AND POULTRY
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Approaching $158 Billion in 2029
- Table 13-1. US Meat and Poultry Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pounds, and percent change)
- Category and Segment Sales
- Meat Continues to Dominate Category Sales
- Table 13-2. US Meat and Poultry Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category/Segment, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars and percent change)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Poultry Preferred Over Meat but Gap Shrinking
- Table 13-3. Consumption Rates for Meat & Poultry, 2014 --2024 (percent of households)
- Consumers Overwhelming Prefer Fresh Over Frozen
- Table 13-4. Consumption Rates for Fresh versus Frozen Meat & Poultry, 2014 - 2024 (percent of households that eats meat or poultry)
- Sausages Outperforming Other Processed Meats
- Table 13-5. Consumption Rates for Selected Processed Meats and Poultry, 2014 - 2024 (percent of households)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Cultural Cuisine
- Convenient Meal Prep
- Restaurant/Chef Quality at Home
- Sensory Delight
- Plant-based Alternatives
- Blends
- Cultivated Meat Facing Challenges
- Other Alternatives
- Responsible NPD
CHAPTER 14: NATURAL AND SPECIALTY CHEESE
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Approaching $26 Billion in 2029
- Table 14-1. US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds, and percent change)
- Category Sales
- Table 14-2. US Natural and Specialty Cheese Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Mindful Indulgence
- Alternatives
- Restaurant/Cheese Shop Quality
- Snacking
CHAPTER 15: SALTY SNACKS
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market to Exceed $47 Billion in 2029
- Table 15-1. US. Salty Snacks Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pounds, and percent change)
- Segment Sales
- Growth Driven by Non-Chip Salty Snacks
- Table 15-2. US. Salty Snack Market Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars and percent change)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Potato Chips Still Most Preferred But Trending Down
- Table 15-3. Consumption Rates for Selected Salty Snacks, 2014 - 2024 (percent of households)
- Chip Eaters Don't Consume Much
- Table 15-4. Bags of Potato Chips Eaten in Last 30 Days, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat potato chips)
- Table 15-5. Bags of Corn/Tortilla/Other Chips & Cheese Snacks Eaten in Last 30 Days, 2014 -2024 (percent of US households that eat corn/tortilla/other chips & cheese snacks)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Sensory Delight
- Cultural Cuisine
- Mindful Indulgence
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Responsible NPD
- Kid-focused
CHAPTER 16: SOUP
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Increasing to Over $10 Billion in 2029
- Table 16-1. US Soup Market Retail Dollar Sales, 2019 - 2029 (in millions of dollars, millions of pounds/16oz. equivalents, and percent change)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Healthier-for-You
- Cultural Cuisine
- Comfort & Nostalgia
- Sensory Delight
- Influencer Inspired
CHAPTER 17: YOGURT
- SALES OUTLOOK
- Market Approaching $15 Billion in 2029
- Table 17-1. US Yogurt Retail Sales, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars, million pints, and percent change)
- Category Sales
- Table 17-2. US Yogurt Retail Dollar Sales: By Category, 2019 - 2029 (million dollars)
- CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- After Pandemic Boost, Yogurt Consumption Relatively Steady
- Table 17-3. Consumption Rates for Yogurt, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households)
- Regular (Full-Fat) Yogurt Still Preferred
- Table 17-4. Types of Yogurt Eaten Most Often, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat yogurt)
- Plain and Flavored Yogurt Gain at Expense of Fruit Varieties
- Table 17-5. Kinds of Yogurt Eaten Most Often, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat yogurt)
- Greatest Growth in 2024 from Those Eating the Most
- Table 17-6. Containers of Yogurt Eaten in Last 7 Days, 2014 - 2024 (percent of US households that eat yogurt)
- KEY OPPORTUNITIES
- Healthier-For-You
- Dairy-Free and Plant-Based Alternatives
- Increase Kids' Consumption
- Sensory Delight
- Influencer Inspired
- Snacking