Meal Replacement Products Market Analysis Report By Product, By Distribution Channel, By Region And Segment Forecasts From 2019 To 2025

Industry Insights

The global meal replacement products market size was accounted for USD 16.10 billion, in the year 2018. It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period, 2019 to 2025. The increasing number of diabetes, cardiovascular, and obesity cases is anticipated to drive customers’ attention towards weight management products, thereby, supplementing the product demand. These products contain nutrients, proteins, fats, and at least 200 to 400 calories making them a good substitute for a balanced meal. This factor is anticipated to further supplement the product demand.

The growth of the working-class population and their hectic work schedules have resulted in surging the demand for high-quality and healthy food items. Ready-to-eat products contain the right amount of fats, vitamins, and other nutrients, and require less cooking time. These products are preferred by customers leading a sedentary lifestyle having no time for a balanced meal. Further, the clean label moment has encouraged manufacturers to use only a few ingredients in these products that are accepted by customers as wholesome ingredients. This is projected to accelerate the demand for organic and natural meal replacement products.

Customers prefer meal replacement shakes and bar as healthy substitutes for fast foods.  Further, the growing popularity of vegan food and varieties of nutrient combination products is predicted to persuade manufacturers to focus on product innovation. A leading player such as Soylent manufactures meals made up of plants to serve the vegan options.

Meal replacement food items generally come in RTD shakes or bar forms with greater shelf life and can be stored easily. The powdered form is another widely accepted product of this category among gym professionals. Many instructors and trainers advise using this product to promote healthy dieting practices among their trainees. The growing penetration of online sales has encouraged manufacturers to use this medium to acquire a larger market share.

Distribution Channel Insights

The meal replacement products market is driven by offline distribution channels as manufacturers have a wide network of offline channels globally for promoting their sales. Manufacturers can select their preferred shelf space to keep their products in various supermarkets and retail outlets. This factor is projected to support the growth of the segment in the upcoming years. The gym owner is also selling these products in their gyms which are projected to boost the offline sales of the meal replacement food product.   

The penetration of e-commerce retail offers convenience to manufactures to expand their reach to a larger consumer base at a minimal cost. The growth of online sales is attributed to various blogs and virtual word-of-mouth. Moreover, manufacturers are focusing on developing their own websites and partnering with various e-commerce retailers to proliferate online sales. The adoption of various digital marketing tools like web advertisements, search engine optimization, email marketing, and others by leading players is affecting the purchase decision of customers. This factor is projected to fuel the online sales of the product over the forecast period.

Product Insights

The meal replacement powder led the market in 2018. The product sales are accelerated by easy-storage options of the powder and a rapidly changing lifestyle owing to a hectic work schedule. Also, manufactures are offering free shakers with the product. Easy accessibility of different flavors of powder that act as a good substitute for a balanced diet and helps in weight management is predicted to attract fitness enthusiasts to purchase this product.

Ready-to-drink (RTD) is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period. Factors such as celebrity endorsements, attractive packaging, and digital marketing are projected to supplement the sales of RTD drinks. Manufacturers are focusing on mentioning all the nutritional components clearly in their various flavored drinks to meets the food standards guidelines imposed by the government. These factors are anticipated to support market growth in the upcoming years.

Protein bars are the least demanded product of this category. These products are costlier than drinks and powder. Consumers’ preference to purchase these bars as a replacement for various snacks is expected to drive protein bar sales over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

In 2018, North America held the largest share of more than 45%. The U.S. is the leading regional market due to the growing prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases in customers. However, the Food and Drug Association (FDA) classified meal replacement food products into dietary use foods. Manufacturers are adhering to various regulations passed by the Food and Drug Association (FDA). They focus on producing products having nutritional compositions according to the standards laid down by the FDA.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to ascend with a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. Factors such as increasing population, growing health awareness, e-commerce growth, and increasing urbanization are projected to supplement the growth in emerging nations such as India and China. Leading players are inclined towards the use of various digital market strategies to reach the untapped markets.

The growing popularity of meal replacement food products in various European nations is contributing to market growth. Regions in CSA and MEA are projected to register growing sales of these products due to the entry of leading players in the regional market.

Meal Replacement Products Market Share Insights

Leading players in this industry include Soylent, Kellogg, Herbalife, General Mills, Abbott Nutrition, Glanbia, Herbalife, Blue Diamond Growers, Unilever, and SlimFast. Manufacturers are focusing on product innovation owing to growing health-conscious customers and the prevalence of various diseases. The new products introduced by leading players, having different nutritional compositions to target new customers like youngsters, is positively influencing the market growth. Celebrity endorsement and digital marketing are some of the prevailing trends in the global market.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2015 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Million Insights has segmented the global meal replacement products market report on the basis of product, distribution channel, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
    • Powder
    • Ready to Drink
    • Protein Bar

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
    • Online
    • Offline

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)
    • North America
        • U.S.
    • Europe
        • Germany
    • the Asia Pacific
        • China
    • Central & South America
        • Brazil
    • Middle East & Africa
        • South Africa