Breakfast Cereal Global Market Report 2024

The breakfast cereal market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $64.11 billion in 2023 to $67.89 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth observed during the historic period can be attributed to factors such as the consumer shift towards convenient breakfast options, effective advertising and branding campaigns, increased awareness of health and nutrition, considerations related to packaging and portability, and the influence of cultural and regional breakfast habits.

The breakfast cereal market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $83.1 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to an emphasis on health and wellness, the adoption of sustainability practices, the incorporation of plant-based and functional ingredients, the influence of global culinary trends, and targeted marketing towards specific demographics. Major trends expected in the forecast period encompass innovation in shapes and textures, sustainable packaging practices, customization and personalization of products, increased digital engagement and marketing, and the introduction of protein-enriched options.

Many nations globally are grappling with declining crop prices due to overcapacity, leading to expectations of reduced raw material costs for food and beverage companies. For example, in November 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in India announced an $842 million (Rs 7000 core) bailout package for farmers involved in sugar production. This aimed to address the overproduction-induced drop in the minimum selling price of refined sugar to Rs 29 per kilogram (fallen from Rs 23-24 recently) and create a buffer stock of 3 million tons of sugar for one year. Consequently, the overproduction of certain crops is anticipated to contribute to increased profit margins for food and beverage companies, including those in breakfast and cereal manufacturing. Higher profit margins are expected to empower these companies to enhance productivity and drive market growth in the foreseeable future.

The breakfast cereal market is poised for growth due to changing trends in health-conscious consumer behavior and lifestyles. A health-conscious lifestyle emphasizes making healthier choices in diet and daily routines, driving increased demand for breakfast cereals due to their nutritional benefits, convenience, and contribution to overall health and wellness. In August 2023, Koninklijke DSM N.V. reported that 60% of consumers globally are more health-conscious post-pandemic, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle for preventive health measures. Additionally, a Food Insight report in July 2022 noted a rise in specific diets or eating patterns, with 52% of participants following one, up from 39% in 2021, citing preferences such as clean eating, mindful eating, and calorie counting. Therefore, the growth of the breakfast cereal market is fueled by the evolving health-conscious mindset and lifestyle choices among consumers.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly restrained the breakfast cereal manufacturing market in 2020, disrupting supply chains due to trade restrictions and reducing consumption amidst global lockdowns. The infectious nature of COVID-19 led to government-imposed lockdowns, impacting the movement of goods and halting production due to a lack of raw materials. Restrictions on non-essential goods trade and concerns about contamination through manufacturing facilities further contributed to the decline. Despite the negative impact on businesses throughout 2020 and into 2021, it is anticipated that the breakfast cereal manufacturing market will recover over the forecast period, considering the pandemic as a "black swan" event unrelated to ongoing or fundamental weaknesses in the market or the global economy.

Breakfast cereal manufacturing companies are increasingly adopting robotics and automation technology to optimize production efficiency. Robotic systems automate various processes, including batching, conveying, processing, storage, and packaging, resulting in reduced production cycle time and increased output. Automation also enhances plant conditions, minimizes contamination, and reduces human interaction, ensuring safer processing for both workers and consumers. Collaborative or semi-autonomous robots find application in automation processes, including packaging. Fixed automation systems in plants contribute to increased yields by at least 2-3% compared to manual labor. Companies such as Colborne Foodbotics, ABB Group, Emerson Electric Co., and Schneider Electric S.E. offer automation equipment to cereal manufacturers.

Key players in the breakfast cereal market are concentrating on product innovations, including the introduction of keto-friendly options, to meet the growing demand for healthier and more convenient breakfast choices. A keto-friendly meal is characterized by low carbohydrates, high healthy fats, and protein content. For example, in February 2022, Post Holdings Inc. launched Incredi-Bowl, a keto-friendly cereal available in various varieties. This product caters to consumers seeking a healthy, convenient, and satisfying breakfast option, being gluten-free, grain-free, protein, and fiber-rich, quick to prepare, and enriched with vitamins and minerals - an ideal choice for keto and gluten-free diets.

Major companies operating in the breakfast cereal market report are Nestlé S.A., PepsiCo Inc., Abbott Nutrition, The Kraft Heinz Company, Associated British Foods PLC, General Mills Inc., Kellanova, The Campbell Soup Company, Post Holdings Inc., Gruma S.A.B. de C.V., The Jordans & Ryvita Company Ltd., The Oetker Group, The Quaker Oats Company, TreeHouse Foods, Calbee Inc., B&G Foods Inc., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., MOM Brands Company, Marico Limited, McKee Foods Corporation, Cereal Partners Worldwide S.A., Grain Millers Inc., Weetabix Limited, Nature's Path Foods Inc., Back to Nature's Food Company LLC, Carman's Fine Foods, Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods Inc., Bagrrys's India Limited, Freedom Foods Group Limited, The Muesli Company Pty Limited, Nature's Best Inc., The Great Canadian Cereal Company Ltd., Attune Foods, Malt-O-Meal, Roman Meal Company.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the breakfast cereal market in 2023. North America was the second-largest region in the breakfast cereal market. The regions covered in the breakfast cereal market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the breakfast cereal market report are Australia; China; India; Indonesia; Japan; South Korea; Bangladesh; Thailand; Vietnam; Malaysia; Singapore; Philippines; Hong Kong; New Zealand; USA; Canada; Mexico; Brazil; Chile; Argentina; Colombia; Peru; France; Germany; UK; Austria; Belgium; Denmark; Finland; Ireland; Italy; Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Russia; Czech Republic; Poland; Romania; Ukraine; Saudi Arabia; Israel; Iran; Turkey; UAE; Egypt; Nigeria; South Africa.

The main types of breakfast cereals include oats' breakfast cereal, grains' breakfast cereal, and other breakfast cereals. Oat cereals are derived from oats (Avena sativa), a versatile cereal grain that can grow in various environments. Products in this category include Ready-to-Eat (RTE), Hot Cereals, and others, packaged in various forms such as boxes, pouches, etc. Distribution of these cereals takes place through various channels, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, e-commerce, and others.

The breakfast cereal research report is one of a series of new reports that provides breakfast cereal statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with breakfast cereal shares, detailed breakfast cereal segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the breakfast cereal industry. This breakfast cereal 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 breakfast cereals market consists of sales of whole oats, steel-cut oats, instant oats, wheat cereal, rye cereal, barley cereal, farina cereal, granola cereal, and other breakfast cereals. The companies in the industry process raw materials into breakfast cereals, package and distribute them through various distribution channels to both individual customers and commercial establishments. 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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