The food industry is watching the increasing demand for convenient and healthy food, such as cereal and protein bars. Mintel states that more than one third of Brazilians regularly consume bars, half of them aging between 18 and 24 years. The number evidences that the bar and snack category is evolving into a new standard. Last year, sales of the segment increased 5%. The high demand for alternative products and with high quality ingredients will boost the valuation of the segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our team interviewed Bianca Yezzi, who has over 10 years of experience in bar and snack development and acts as consultant in the field. When she started, cereal bars dominated the market. According to her: \u201cSince then, the industry has created different categories, with higher indulgence, specific functionalities and unusual flavors. Currently, the demand is focused on protein bars, followed by nut bars. Superfoods and energy bars, as well as vegan and organic bars, are gaining more and more attention, leaving cereal bars behind.\u201d New consumption trends have changed the market outlook and boosted investment in quality and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PROTEINS: THE SUPER TREND ALSO PRESENT IN BARS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a lot of room for growth for protein bars, which originally were only consumed by athletes. The growing opportunity consists in exploring better textures and flavors to reach more consumers, emphasizing the use of non-artificial, plant-based, GMO-free, allergen-free and organic ingredients. Reinforcing the premiunizing trend that we pointed out in other articles, Bianca affirms: \u201cthe current market is very focused on premium protein bars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n THE HYPE FOR FUNCTIONALITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bars are convenient and affordable alternatives for who seeks functional products. Internationally, it is already possible to find special bars for breastfeeding mothers, enriched with vitamins and essential minerals. The American brand Truth Bar developed a line of prebiotic and probiotic bars, which help to maintain the good operation of the gastrointestinal tract. Regarding allergen-free projects, according to Bianca, \u201cthere is a crazy demand, however, the industries face challenges in the production chain. Small suppliers get a head start due to their flexibility, although suffer higher losses because of a simpler process setup. In addition, it is important to have a solid quality control system to guarantee the absence of allergens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Brazil, a few options for unique markets have already been launched, such as Paleolithic and bulletproof bars. Bianca is emphatic about what has come to stay: \u201cbars that offer new experiences in terms of smoothness, texture, flavor, distinctive ingredients.\u201d She adds: \u201cI notice that there is a continuously growing interest of the consumers to acquire innovative products, that really deliver what they promise. This is a key factor to a product\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n IN BRAZIL: POWERFUL MARKET THAT WILL DICTATE ITS GROWTH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Convenience, flavor, functionality and focus on \u201con-the-go\u201d consumption, bars can reunite these key factors in a single product. Industries active in this segment should be flexible in their production process, adapting quickly to new trends, new formulations, new designs and new packaging styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The performance of the segment will certainly be guided by the healthy food trend, including a demand for more sophisticated, premium and indulgent options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We agree when Bianca states: \u201cthe segment reinvents itself with the availability of new ingredients, technologies and equipment. Machinery suppliers are adapting to meet smaller volumes, as well as distinctive shapes and sizes. The consumers benefit from these changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe key word of this sector is growth.\u201d, concludes Bianca with confidence of someone daily in touch with a very positive scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering that the Brazilian market size is equivalent to 5% of the American market, which holds nearly 40% of the global consumption of bars, the reader can opt to see the \u201chalf full or half empty glass\u201d. Personally, I believe that we will watch an increase of product availability and a remarkable and fast expansion of the Brazilian bar market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The food industry is watching the increasing demand for convenient and healthy food, such as cereal and protein bars. Mintel states that more than one third of Brazilians regularly consume bars, half of them aging between 18 and 24 years. The number evidences that the bar and snack category is evolving into a new standard. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[91],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n