by Low-calorie foods are food products that contain fewer calories relative to their regular versions but aim to deliver similar taste and texture. They are specially formulated to help support weight management. Low-calorie foods include sugar-free snacks and beverages, baked goods, dressings and sauces. The demand for low-calorie food options is increasing as more people want to manage their weight and stay fit without compromising taste.
The Global Low-Calorie Food Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 14.66 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period 2024 to 2030.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the low-calorie food market are GE Healthcare,,Philips Healthcare,,NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION,,Schiller AG,,Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. Consumers are increasingly exploring healthier snacking and weight management options which is a key opportunity for players in this market. Technological advancements in low-calorie sweeteners and baked goods formulation allow for creating food products that satisfy taste and reduce calories intake.
Market Drivers
The rising health consciousness among consumers coupled with growing obese and overweight population has fueled the demand for low-calorie food products in recent years. People are actively making changes towards healthier dietary and lifestyle choices resulting in greater uptake of low-calorie snacks and meals. This growing focus on fitness and weight management through diet modification is a major factor driving the low-calorie food market.
Current challenges in Low-Calorie Food Market:
The Low-Calorie Food Market Share faces various challenges currently. High production costs and requirement of specialized equipment for manufacturing low-calorie foods makes them more expensive than regular foods. This price difference demotivates consumers from opting for low-calorie foods. Also, many people still consider low-calorie foods to be less tasty and satisfying than regular calorie foods. Changing such mindsets and preferences is a massive challenge. Ensuring variety and innovation in low-calorie foods is important to attract and retain consumers but requires heavy investments which small players find difficult.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Growing health consciousness among people is driving demand for low-calorie foods. Manufacturers too are innovating to offer more variety in terms of flavors and formats of low-calorie foods.
Weakness: Initial costs associated with manufacturing processes and equipment for low-calorie foods are high. Ensuring taste and satiety at low calorie levels is still a challenge for many products.
Opportunity: Rising obesity and lifestyle disease rates globally indicate huge market potential. Focus on children’s health can open new growth avenues.
Threats: Intense competition from regular snacks and beverages sectors to capture health-conscious buyers is a threat. Negative publicity around any product claims can seriously hurt brands.
The North American region accounts for the largest value share in the low-calorie food market currently. This is owing to high health awareness levels and significant focus on fitness and weight management among the population in countries like the U.S. and Canada. The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period due to developing economies, rising incomes, growing obesity prevalence, and expanding Western influences on food habits in countries like China, India.
The European region also captures substantial value share backed by innovative new product launches catering to consumer demand for convenient low-cal packaged foods. Other major regions include Latin America and Middle East & Africa which are projected to witness steady rise in adoption of low-calorie food options driven by increasing health issues and lifestyle changes among middle-income population segments over coming years.
