Meal Replacement Market Report 2025

The meal replacement market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $18.54 billion in 2024 to $19.91 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to consumer shift towards convenience foods, retail expansion and availability, fitness and sports industry influence, innovations in ingredient formulations, weight management and fitness trends.

The meal replacement market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $28.25 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to shift in retail strategies, growth in health-conscious consumer base, innovation in ingredient formulations, expansion of functional meal replacements, rise in personalized nutrition solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include personalized nutrition solutions, convenience in busy lifestyles, innovation in formulations, health and weight management, rise in functional ingredients.

The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes is anticipated to drive the growth of the meal replacement market. The increase in diabetes is attributed to factors such as ethnicity, aging, and lifestyle choices. Meal replacement products are primarily utilized for managing diabetes by aiding in weight loss. Additionally, as these products are nutrient-dense yet low in calories, they are also effective for treating obesity. For example, in March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, a UK government department, reported that between March 2022 and March 2023, the percentage of individuals with type 1 diabetes receiving all eight recommended care processes increased by 22%. Similarly, for type 2 diabetes, this figure rose by 21%, with the percentage achieving target HbA1c levels reaching 37.9%, the highest ever recorded by the National Diabetes Audit (NDA). Consequently, the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes are fueling the growth of the meal replacement market.

The increasingly busy lifestyles and time constraints of modern living are expected to drive the growth of the meal replacement market in the coming years. Busy lifestyles and time limitations refer to the hectic and fast-paced nature of contemporary life, where individuals often have limited time for various activities due to work commitments, family responsibilities, social engagements, and other obligations. These factors are leading to a growing demand for meal replacement products, which offer a convenient and time-saving alternative for people who struggle to prepare traditional meals. Meal replacement products provide quick, easy, and nutritionally balanced options that cater to the needs of busy individuals. For example, in April 2022, a survey conducted on approximately 10,600 international workers by Asana Inc., a US-based mobile and web work management tool, revealed that office workers spent over 50% of their day on busy work rather than accomplishing their primary tasks. Similarly, according to the annual work index held in October 2021, people spent 58% of their time on activities related to work, such as discussing work, seeking information, navigating between applications, managing shifting priorities, and seeking status updates. Therefore, increasingly busy lifestyles and time constraints are driving the demand for meal replacement products.

Major companies in the meal replacement market are focusing on innovation, including offering products in popular flavors such as chocolate caramel and vanilla hazelnut. Flavors refer to the sensory experience of food or substances, primarily influenced by the chemical senses of taste and smell. For example, in September 2024, Arla Foods Group, a Denmark-based food company, launched a new line of meal replacement drinks called Protein Food to Go. Each serving of these drinks contains 30 grams of protein, providing a substantial source of protein for those seeking convenient nutritional options. This high protein content is designed to support muscle maintenance and overall health, appealing to active individuals and those in need of meal replacements.

Leading companies in the meal replacement market are prioritizing advanced products, such as nutritious meal replacement bars, to better cater to the needs of their current consumers. Nutritious meal replacement bars are food items that offer a diverse range of nutrients and are designed to provide a convenient and nutritionally balanced alternative to traditional meals. For instance, in June 2022, CTRL, a US-based company specializing in meal replacement products, introduced Meal On-the-Go Bars. These bars come in new and appealing flavors packed with wholesome ingredients that satisfy hunger on-the-go. The bars are available in two flavors: Magic Charms and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. They are not only delicious but also nutritious, with each Meal On-the-Go Bar containing 15 grams of high-quality whey protein, 240 calories, 27 grams of healthy carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fiber. These bars go beyond typical protein bars, as they are enriched with vitamins, minerals, proteins, macros, and a base of roasted cashew butter flavored with honey, along with other beneficial components. They are designed to satisfy hunger while prioritizing health.

In 2022, Solace Nutrition, a medical nutrition company specializing in manufacturing effective nutrition formulas as dietary supplements to assist individuals in managing their nutritional requirements, acquired R-Kane Nutritional for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for Solace into an adjacent nutrition market. R-Kane Nutritional, based in the US, specializes in high-protein meal replacements designed for weight management.

Major companies operating in the meal replacement market include Nestlé S.A., Unilever PLC, Abbott Laboratories Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, The Kraft Heinz Company, Atkins Nutritionals Inc., Kellogg Company, General Mills Inc., Amway Corporation, Glanbia plc, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd., Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Usana Health Sciences Inc., Huel Limited, Garden of Life LLC, Quest Nutrition LLC, Orgain Inc., ThinkThin LLC, SlimFast Holdings Inc., No Cow Inc., Soylent Nutrition Inc., RXBAR LLC, Perfect Bar LLC, MealSquare LLC, Labrada Nutrition LLC, Dymatize Nutrition LLC.

North America was the largest region in the meal replacement market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the meal replacement market share in the forecast period. The regions covered in the meal replacement market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the meal replacement market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Meal replacements are products designed to substitute solid foods by providing the necessary calories and nutrients for the body. These products are enriched with protein and nutrients and are available in powdered drink form or as ready-made drinks.

In the meal replacement market, the main types of products are powdered products, edible bars, ready-to-drink products, and others. Powdered products are available in various forms and are designed to be substitutes for solid foods, providing the necessary calories and nutrients for the body. They are used in various applications such as weight gain, weight loss, physical fitness, and wound healing. These products are distributed through hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, online platforms, and other channels.

The meal replacement market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides meal replacement market statistics, including meal replacement industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a meal replacement market share, detailed meal replacement market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the meal replacement industry. This meal replacement market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The meal replacement market consists of sales of drinks, bars, soups, sparkling water. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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