Europe Protein Bar Market Size (2024-2030)

The Europe Protein Bar Market was valued at USD 1.12 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 1.58 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.01%.

Protein bars are snacks with a high protein content. This market has grown tremendously over the years. In the past, this was mainly consumed by athletes. However, with the ongoing health and wellness trends, this market started to expand as sales increased. More companies have started to manufacture the product owing to their demand. Besides, with the changing lifestyles and preferences, this snack has gained a good amount of attention amongst commoners as well. In the future, this market is set to see good growth. A growing focus on sustainable practices and technological advancements is anticipated to generate more revenue. During the forecast period, a considerable growth rate is predicted.

Key Market Insights:

The market for sports nutrition and supplements worldwide was estimated to be worth US$27 billion in 2022; by 2027, it is projected to reach US$37 billion.

Currently, 7250 eateries have a protein bar on their menu, which is 0.85% of restaurants.

Based on projections, the global market for protein components is expected to reach a value of about 47.4 billion US dollars by 2032, a significant increase from the around 26 billion US dollars it was in 2021.

In the European Region, 60 million people—roughly 10.3% of men and 9.6% of women over the age of 25—have diabetes. Certain protein bars have high amounts of sugar and calories. This is more than the recommended level of dosage. To address this issue, organizations are focusing on finding suitable alternatives with less or no sugar content in these bars.

Europe Protein Bar Market Drivers:

The nutritional benefits of protein bars are fueling market growth.

Protein bars can aid in supplying our bodies with necessary amino acids and promoting muscular growth. Protein bars can help with blood sugar regulation by going well with meals and snacks high in carbohydrates. Compared to other snacks like candy bars or processed snacks, protein bars are frequently far healthier. Compared to regular snacks, they often include more nutrients, fewer calories, and less sugar. Protein bars are a fantastic substitute for processed snacks or sweets that are heavy in calories but lacking in nutrients. They are frequently enhanced with vitamins and minerals, which might promote general well-being. Moreover, these bars are the best for weight reduction since protein has a positive effect on metabolism, may burn calories, and can reduce hunger. Consuming protein helps to naturally eat less food by lowering the hormone that makes an individual feel hungry.

The growth rate is being accelerated by innovation and product diversity.

The food sector is eager to experiment with new food product types. Over time, considerable advancements have been made in taste, texture, quality, and mixing. The food and beverage sector supports a range of fitness objectives. To commercialize them, they are developing healthier alternatives. Sugar-free varieties, plant-based items, and low-calorie bars fall under this category. Additionally, a lot of snacks are being tailored to meet the demands of certain people. As a result, a larger customer base has been established.

 A changing lifestyle is contributing to the global market expansion.

Since 2009, Europe has typically seen a rise in the number of fitness clubs and gyms. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused a modest decline in the number of establishments in 2020, but in 2022, the number of gyms in Europe grew once more to 63,830. Besides this, a greater percentage of the population is being diagnosed with chronic illnesses like diabetes, variations in blood pressure, heart disease, etc. The statistics of these numbers have instilled awareness about the importance of having a healthy mind and body. More people are leaning towards going to gyms. Trainers over here often customize meal plans for a healthy weight. This includes frequent consumption of protein bars as a pre-or post-workout meal.

Europe Protein Bar Market Restraints and Challenges:

Competition, environmental issues, and regulatory compliance are the main concerns the market is currently experiencing.

The food establishments confront fierce rivalries. Customers depend on well-known and recognizable brands in the sector. This can cause losses for other unknown or less popular brands. Secondly, a lot of businesses package their products using plastic and other non-recyclable materials. Waste builds up as a result of this. This creates sustainability concerns. Thirdly, a few protein bar manufacturers might not follow transparency and clean labeling. The food product contains ingredients like soy, nuts, dairy, and other gluten products. Some individuals can have allergic reactions to these ingredients.

Europe Protein Bar Market Opportunities:

The practice of consuming only plant-based foods is known as veganism. Products made from vegan ingredients, like plant-based dairy options, are becoming more and more popular. Secondly, the growth of e-commerce has been aiding the market. Through online channels, local and international shipping is possible. This leads to more profits. Thirdly, environmentally friendly methods are being used to minimize environmental harm. Significant improvement is anticipated throughout the projection period, even though this is just the beginning. Furthermore, functional ingredients are being emphasized. This includes gluten-free options, sugar alternatives, less dairy, low calories, and other protein alternatives.

EUROPE PROTEIN BAR  MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Europe Protein Bar Market Segmentation:

Europe Protein Bar Market Segmentation: By Source

• Plant-Based
• Animal-Based

Based on the source, the plant-based segment is the largest in the market. The growing popularity of veganism is the main reason for this. Social media has played an important role in throwing light on the cruelties faced by the animal industry for their products. Vegan-based products are known to have the same nutritional value. Besides, the pandemic caused an increase in the number of vegans, helping the segment flourish. Animal-based is the fastest-growing segment. This is because of the historic significance, easier availability, demand, and nutritional value of dairy products like eggs, milk, and other products.

Europe Protein Bar Market Segmentation: By Product Type

• Sports Nutrition
• Meal-Replacement
• Others

Sports nutrition is both the largest and fastest-growing segment based on product type. These bars contain high amounts of protein and carbohydrates, which boost the performance of players instantly. They are a convenient option for athletes. Additionally, the sugar present in these bars helps in the upliftment of energy. Besides, some bars contain functional ingredients, which are necessary for stress management and relieving anxiety. Meal-replacement bars are also gaining prominence. They are fulfilling and have a good nutritional profile for weight loss. People who don't have sufficient time to cook are usually known to consume these. However, it is very crucial to note that these should not be taken in place of meals constantly, as it can lead to unhealthy weight loss and other serious repercussions.

Europe Protein Bar Market Segmentation: By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Online Retail
• Others

The largest distribution channels in the market are supermarkets and hypermarkets. Their total market share exceeds 55%. This is because of reasons like presence, ease of access, uniqueness, authenticity, in-person communication, visual examination, and availability. Because of the ongoing digital revolution, online retail is the sector with the fastest growth. Approximately 35% of the revenue is owned by them. Due to rising consumer awareness and the tendency to experiment with new products, an increasing number of customers are selecting online food delivery services. From the convenience of their home, they may place orders. This makes buying these food items easier for those living in distant places. Online merchants have also begun guaranteeing the freshness of their items and offering superior customer service.

Europe Protein Bar Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis:

• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

With a roughly 33% market share, the United Kingdom has the largest market regionally. The population, the existence of significant businesses, bulk manufacturing, demand, distinctiveness, inventions, cultural significance, attractiveness, and flavor advancements are the reasons for this. Germany is the fastest-growing due to a variety of factors, including an increase in fast-food franchises and restaurants, an increase in population, the emergence of new businesses, worldwide operations, the growing popularity of veganism, investments, and culinary explorations. This area makes up around 25% of the total.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Europe Protein Bar Market:

The pandemic hurt the market. Mobility limitations, social isolation, and lockdowns became the new norm. Guidelines and norms ordered hotels, fast-food chains, and restaurants to close to stop the virus from spreading. The food and beverage industry was forced to incur significant losses as a result. In addition, a great number of people lost their jobs due to financial difficulties. In several other locations, there wasn't enough staff to handle day-to-day operations. The supply chain, logistics, and transportation were all seriously impacted. The import-export trade was significantly impacted by these variables. Moreover, gyms were closed, causing a decrease in the sale of protein bars. People started leaning towards the consumption of home-cooked meals. However, the market started to pick up due to online retail. According to Statista's Digital Market Outlook, retail e-commerce revenue in Europe increased by 20% in 2020. Furthermore, the pandemic heightened awareness about health, creating various fitness trends. This created a broader consumer base.

Latest Trends/ Developments:

The companies in this market are motivated to achieve a higher market share by implementing different strategies, such as acquisitions, partnerships, and investments. Companies are also spending heavily to improve existing creations while maintaining competitive pricing. This has further resulted in increased enlargement.

Subscription boxes are gaining prominence, which is helping the market to expand. These boxes contain delicacies and other detailed food products. Additionally, they can be subdivided into normal and premium categories. Premium subscriptions contain authentic flavors and innovations. Online shopping channels are promoting these cases through their various marketing strategies.

Key Players:

1. General Mills Inc.
2. Mars, Incorporated
3. Grenade (Mondelēz International's)
4. Clif Bar & Company
5. Quest Nutrition
6. Fulfil Nutrition
7. SCI-MX Nutrition
8. Myprotein
9. The Nature's Bounty Co.
10. KIND LLC

In December 2022, Snickers Hi Protein, a new performance nutrition bar, was introduced by Mars. The bars provide 20 grams of protein in addition to the same ingredients—chocolate, caramel, and peanuts—as traditional Snickers bars.

In March 2021, the maker of protein snack bars, Grenade, was acquired by Mondelez. With consumers turning more and more towards wholesome products, Mondelez was pursuing an expansion into the healthy snacking market with this purchase.

In January 2020, Nestlé announced a partnership for plant-based ingredients with Burcon and Merit. The collaboration aimed to significantly expedite the development of tasty, nutrient-dense plant-based meat and dairy substitutes with a low environmental impact.