Europe Extruded Snack Food Market

Europe Extruded Snack Food Market Size and Share:

The Europe extruded snack food market size was valued at USD 18.70 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 31.26 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.88% from 2025-2033. The United Kingdom represents the leading country in this region, owing to the increasing consumer demand for convenient, flavorful, and healthier snack options, innovations in flavors and textures, and a rise in health-conscious choices like gluten-free and low-fat products.

The growing preference for convenient, ready-to-eat (RTE) food products among European consumers has significantly driven the extruded snack food market. Busy lifestyles and the need for quick, portable nutrition solutions have led to increased consumption of extruded snacks, which offer extended shelf life and diverse flavor profiles. These snacks cater to on-the-go consumption trends and provide health-oriented options, such as low-fat or high-protein variants, appealing to health-conscious buyers. Along with this, European consumers spent €888 billion on food and beverages (F&B). Foodservice visits surged from 35.2 billion to 51.5 billion in four years. Moreover, ongoing advancements in packaging and distribution ensure product freshness and accessibility, further boosting their popularity across various age groups and demographics in Europe.

Besides this, the continuous innovation in flavor and texture profiles has fueled the demand for extruded snacks in Europe. Manufacturers are focusing on creating unique taste experiences by blending traditional and exotic flavors, which cater to evolving consumer palates. Concurrently, the introduction of healthier ingredient alternatives, such as whole grains, legumes, and reduced additives, aligns with the rising trend toward mindful eating. Improved production techniques also enhance the texture variety, from crunchy to puffed forms, making these snacks more appealing. For instance, by June 2023, Roquette inaugurated a €4.5 million innovation center in Lestrem, France, featuring advanced technologies for high-moisture extrusion, ultra-high temperature processing, and tableting simulations to enhance food innovation.

Europe Extruded Snack Food Market Trends:

Growing consumer interest in healthy snacking

Healthy snacking is gaining the attention of consumers in Europe, with health-conscious consumers driving the demand for nutritionally enhanced extruded snacks. The manufacturer is reformulating their products to add healthier ingredients, such as whole grains, plant-based proteins, and low-sodium alternatives. Increasing vegan, gluten-free, and organic lifestyles are further broadening the market for better-for-you snack options. Consumers who demand function from their snack foods will find fortification with vitamins and minerals appealing. Transparency in labeling, combined with clean ingredient lists, strengthens consumer confidence, thus enhancing the attractiveness of the market. Growing awareness of lifestyle diseases will further increase the quest for guilt-free snacking options, leading to innovations in this segment.

Expansion of retail and e-commerce channels

Increased accessibility of extruded snacks through multiple channels of retail and e-commerce channels has helped to enhance growth in the market in Europe. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores are still the most important distribution sources, ensuring easy access to a wide range of products, while growth in online shopping has recently added another dimension to the market, enabling consumers to explore new and niche brands. Subscription boxes and online offers also attract customers, and D2C strategies help build loyalty. This ability to reach a wider audience through multiple platforms has made it easier for manufacturers to drive product visibility and reach out to a larger number of people.

Rising focus on sustainability in production

Sustainability has become one of the significant drivers in the European extruded snack food market. The consumers are increasingly looking for brands that are environmentally responsible. Manufacturers are adopting eco-friendly practices such as sourcing sustainable raw materials, using recyclable packaging, and minimizing food waste during production. These efforts resonate with the environment-sensitive consumer and meet tough environment regulations in Europe. Beyond that, companies are focusing on developing energy-efficient extrusion techniques and incorporating upcycled ingredients in products to bring down carbon emissions. When sustainability efforts are made apparent in marketing, it creates opportunities for brands to attract a widening segment of the ethical customer, and that separates brands in a crowded market, helps them address environmental concerns.

Europe Extruded Snack Food Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the Europe extruded snack food market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on type, and distribution channel.

Analysis by Type:

• Potato
• Corn
• Rice
• Tapioca
• Mixed Grains
• Others
   

Corn-based extruded snacks are the most popular ones in the market because of their light and airy texture. They are made from cornmeal or flour and are very versatile and can be flavored with cheese, spices, or sweet coatings, making them suitable for all kinds of consumers. The production process also allows innovative shapes and sizes, enhancing their visual appeal and marketability. They cater to the health-conscious consumer by being gluten-free because corn is gluten-free and sometimes fortified with nutrients such as fiber and protein in keeping with the increasing demand for healthier snacking options. The snacks are popularly consumed across all ages due to their versatility, convenience, and their ability to be both a quick snack and a party favorite. Their long shelf lives and relatively low prices increase their acceptance in developed and developing markets.

Analysis by Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Food Stores
• Online Retail
• Others
   

Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the market leaders in the distribution of extruded snack foods, allowing for a wide product line and attractive promotions to entice a large customer population. The high-visibility and easy-to-reach nature of these large-store formats helps increase brand penetration and stimulate impulse purchases. They have a vast shelf space that accommodates showcasing multiple product categories from premium, mass-market, and private labels so they cover several consumer preferences and budgets. Moreover, supermarkets and hypermarkets quite often conduct in-store sampling, promotional campaigns, and discounts to keep the customers involved and further gain sales volumes. Their ability to stock both global brands and locally produced snacks positions them as key players in meeting regional tastes and trends, further solidifying their dominance in the distribution landscape.

Country Analysis:

• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Spain
• Others
   

The UK market is characterized by a strong preference for convenience and diverse snack options, reflecting the dynamic lifestyle of its consumers. Health-conscious individuals drive demand for snacks that are low in fat, high in protein, and made with natural ingredients, aligning with trends like clean-label and plant-based products. Additionally, there is growing interest in functional snacks that offer added benefits such as energy boosts or digestive support. Bold and innovative flavors, including unique regional or global-inspired profiles, appeal to adventurous palates, contributing to continuous product experimentation and development. The rise of online retail has significantly enhanced accessibility, with e-commerce platforms offering extensive product ranges and personalized recommendations. Subscription snack boxes, which often feature curated assortments of healthier or exotic snacks, are gaining traction, particularly among younger demographics seeking variety and novelty.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape is characterized by the presence of numerous global and regional players, fostering intense rivalry. Key manufacturers focus on innovation to differentiate their offerings, emphasizing unique flavors, healthier ingredients, and novel textures to capture diverse consumer preferences. Leading brands leverage advanced production technologies to enhance efficiency and product quality, while smaller companies carve out niches through artisanal and organic snack options. Marketing strategies, such as vibrant packaging and targeted campaigns, play a critical role in gaining consumer attention. The rise of private-label brands has added to the competition, offering affordable alternatives to branded products. Besides this, the expansion of e-commerce and D2C models has intensified competition by providing a platform for new entrants. Sustainability has emerged as a significant differentiator, with players adopting eco-friendly practices to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. These dynamics drive constant innovation and diversification within the market.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the Europe extruded snack food market with detailed profiles of all major companies.

Latest News and Developments:

• In November 2024, One Rock Capital Partners acquired Europe Snacks, a leading French private-label snack manufacturer. Europe Snacks, which owns Burts Snacks and Kolak Snack Foods, operates four UK production units. The deal with current owner Apax Partners marks another addition to One Rock’s portfolio, including BlueTriton Water and OLM Food Solutions.
• In February 2023, French own-label manufacturer Europe Snacks acquired premium snacks brand Burts to expand in the UK market. The deal, retaining Burts' operations in Plymouth and Leicester, will enhance product offerings, drive innovation, and boost capacity investment.

Europe Extruded Snack Food Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Europe extruded snack food market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Europe extruded snack food market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Europe extruded snack food industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.