Mumbai:&nbsp; As urban consumers increasingly seek health-oriented products, smart snacking in India has grown 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks, according to a report on Tuesday.
"About 63% of surveyed consumers seek innovative and healthy snacking options while 50% read ingredient labels to understand nutritional value," according to the report by consumer intelligence company NielsenIQ (NIQ).
One in five snacks now has a health connotation in the country.
"This segment is growing 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks in terms of value, presenting opportunities for brands to innovate in health-focused products and leverage the consumption trend,&rdquo; said Sonika Gupta, Executive Director, Customer Success&ndash;India at NIQ. In consumer tech, the trend toward health-focused products is evident.&nbsp;
Fitness wearables experienced a 59% volume growth, while hot air fryers grew by more than 100%, signalling broader health-conscious behaviour.
India&rsquo;s snack and confectionery industry ranks second in market size across Asia-Pacific, is transforming as urban consumers increasingly seek health-oriented products.
The rise in lifestyle diseases has driven Indian consumers to opt for snacks that align with their health goals.
Study showed that 84% of surveyed urban Indian consumers exercise daily or regularly to keep fit and 48% use a fitness or exercise app.
Smaller, emerging players are challenging established players with competitive offerings, with single-serve packs driving demand and growing 60%&nbsp; faster in smart snacking due to mainstream pricing strategies.
The smart snacking segment&rsquo;s growth is fuelled by consumption rates twice that of the general snacks market.
The consumption preference is driven by small convenient pack sizes that have demonstrated 60% higher growth compared to traditional small packs in the snacking space.
Notably, Smart snacking has been growing at 16%&nbsp; in terms of value, but recent trends show a slowdown in count of new innovations and product launches, said the report.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS

Study showed that 84% urban Indians exercise daily or regularly to stay fit

Health-focused products gain popularity as urban consumers prioritize wellness and convenience

Smart Snacking Surges, Growing 1.2x Faster Than Traditional Snacks in India: Report

Health-focused products gain popularity as urban consumers prioritize wellness and convenience

November 12, 2024 | 13:33 IST