RTE Popcorn Market Analysis

Global Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market Overview

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market Size was valued at USD 3.77 Billion in 2023. The Ready-to-eat Popcorn industry is projected to grow from USD 4.06 Billion in 2024 to USD 6.93 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.89% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). An growth in the consumption of ready-to-eat popcorn at home and at multiplexes, as well as a significant increase in disposable money and lifestyle changes are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market Trends

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  Growing awareness of health is driving the market growth

  
  

The rising awareness of health is driving market CAGR for ready-to-eat popcorn. People are becoming more aware of their health benefits, they eat more air-popped popcorn, a concentrated and rich source of different proteins, fibers, antioxidants, vitamin B complex, and polyphenolic chemicals. Most firms focus on brand extension and product innovation by introducing a diverse range of products with unique flavors and components. A successful launch of a new product helps to increase the vendor's revenue flow and client base. The RTE popcorn market is driven by rising demand for healthy snacks and changing customer flavor preferences.

In recent years, businesses have aimed to manufacture gluten-free RTE popcorn, and these popcorns are replacing breadcrumbs used in salads to provide a crunchy coating instead of chicken and fish. These popcorn are flavored in unusual ways to appeal to millennials looking for variety in the salty snack aisle. Organic popcorn, uncooked butterfly, and mushroom popcorn made from dent and flint corn are also popular among businesses.

Personal health and sustainable development, formerly considered "niche" interests, are now at the forefront of purchasers' minds, particularly regarding food purchases. Demand for healthful, convenient, and environmentally friendly diets is increasing, and plant-based proteins are more popular than ever. Because of the pandemic, which has prompted a substantial shift in consumer expectations, people are making personal purchasing selections based on sustainability and seeking to make more health-conscious shopping decisions.

The demand for ready-to-eat snacks is expanding, which substantially impacts the food and beverage industry. Ready-to-eat (RTE) products dominate the industry. Consumers are drawn to an expanding choice of exciting new flavors, consistent product development, and innovation, attributed to the increased demand for gourmet flavored RTE popcorn. Thus, driving the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market revenue.

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market Segment Insights

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Product Type Insights

Based on product type, the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market segmentation includes savory RTE popcorn, sweet RTE popcorn, and others. The savory RTE popcorn segment dominated the market, accounting for 48% of market revenue. RTE popcorn has made a name for itself as a snack among customers. In addition to the conventional salty flavor of popcorn, some companies also utilize sweet, fruity, acidic, and seasonal flavors to pique customer interest. Other flavors being developed by businesses include dried cranberries or candy mixed-in toppings, pumpkin spice or gingerbread, and hot chocolate and marshmallow toppings. These companies are not only successful, but they are also taking advantage of the growing need for nutritious, natural, and portable snacks.

Ready-to-eat Popcorn End User Insights

Based on end users, the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market segmentation includes household and commercial. With 69% of total revenue, the commercial segment led the market due to the rising commercial locations such as cinemas, theaters, and stadiums. Furthermore, the commercial popcorn sector is expected to grow due to increased demand for popcorn as an on-the-go snack and its availability in various flavors. People increasingly prefer relatively healthy snacks like popcorn due to their numerous benefits, resulting in the market growth in the next years.

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Distribution channel Insights

Based on distribution channels, the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market segmentation includes store- and non-store-based. The store-based category generated the most income (70.4%). Major industry participants rapidly develop e-commerce websites in viable areas due to growing internet usage and customer demand for shopping apps. Consumer preference for e-commerce is projected to boost segment expansion. Furthermore, the cost of products at supermarkets/hypermarkets varies by brand, and customers can choose from a number of brands to fit their budget. 

Figure 1: Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market, by Distribution channel, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American Ready-to-eat Popcorn market area will dominate this market, Consumer awareness of healthy snacking and the fast-expanding ready-to-eat food sector. The region is increased popcorn consumption at multiplexes. This is due to increasing popcorn eating as a result of the health benefits of microwave popcorn. Furthermore, innovations are manufacturing more useful things for people due to gadgets such as popcorn machines. Manufacturers are revitalizing their product portfolios by delivering a clean-label ingredient version of their existing brands or new releases to capture a larger market share.

The main countries studied in the market report are German, France, the UK, China, Japan, The US, Canada,  India, Australia, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: READY-TO-EAT POPCORN MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe's Ready-to-eat Popcorn market accounts for the second-largest market share. Consumers are now interested in flavor innovation in the popcorn category since the ease of ready-to-eat popcorn makes it a perfect medium for various flavors and toppings. Many people buy new and unique flavors like dried cranberries, sweets with seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and gingerbread, and well-known flavors like cheese and chocolate or caramel-covered popcorn. Furthermore, the German Ready-to-eat Popcorn market had the biggest market share, while the UK Ready-to-eat Popcorn market had the quickest growth in the European region.

Between 2023 and 2032, the Asia-Pacific Ready-to-Eat Popcorn Market is predicted to develop at the quickest CAGR. This is due to the region's expanding industrial base. Furthermore, greater disposable income and the growing popularity of snacks such as popcorn in theatres, public areas, and events would support the region's growth. This is another factor influencing the future growth of the popcorn market. Furthermore, China's Ready-to-eat Popcorn market had the highest market share, while India's Ready-to-eat Popcorn market was the fastest expanding in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading industry companies are making significant R&D investments to diversify their product offerings, which will drive the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market's expansion. Important market developments include new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, greater investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Market participants also engage in several strategic actions to increase their worldwide presence. The Ready-to-eat Popcorn industry needs to provide reasonably priced goods to grow and thrive in an increasingly competitive and challenging market environment.

Local production to minimize operating costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the Ready-to-eat Popcorn industry to support clients and increase the market sector. The Ready-to-eat Popcorn industry has recently provided some of the most significant benefits. Major players in the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market, including AMC, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

With over 950 theatres and 10,500 screens worldwide, AMC is the largest movie exhibition corporation in the United States, Europe, and the world. AMC has pushed the exhibition industry forward by deploying its Signature power-recliner seats, providing enhanced food and beverage options, increasing guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, web site, and mobile apps, offering premium large format experiences, and playing a diverse range of content, including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming.

Opopop is a forward-thinking gourmet popcorn brand on a quest to reimagine what people expect from popcorn fundamentally. Flavor WrappedTM Popcorn Kernels and Peel + Pour Popcorn Cups are created and manufactured by Opopop. Opopop flavors are available in various tasty popcorn bundles, including the popular Discovery Kit. Opopop products are designed for a new generation of popcorn enthusiasts . In June 2022, Opopop, the inventive popcorn company best known for their Flavour WrappedTM Popcorn Kernels, is kicking off the season with a classic summer flavor: Pickle Monster. Opopop is a great snacking and entertaining option for all your summer activities.

Key Companies in the Ready-to-eat Popcorn market include

• Conagra Brands, Inc. (US)


• Amplify Snack Brands (US)


• Weaver Popcorn Company, Inc. (US)


• Snyder's-Lance. (US)


• Smartfoods Inc. (US)


• Wyandot Inc. (US)


• American Pop Corn Company. (US)


• PepsiCo (Frito-Lay) (US)


• Quinn Foods LLC. (US).

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Industry Developments

February 2023: AMC Entertainment announced an exclusive launch of AMC's all-new microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn items, beginning with featured endcaps prominently displaying AMC Perfectly Popcorn in hundreds of Walmart locations across the United States. With the introduction of this new AMC Theatres popcorn product, AMC offers their Perfectly Popcorn movie theatre popcorn taste and scent to the comfort of your own home. Six new items have been added to AMC's Popcorn collection, including three microwave and popped popcorn flavor variants.

January 2022: Yoki discovered an increasing need in Brazil for more quick, healthful, and ready-to-eat snacks. Yoki's product engineers developed a 100% natural popcorn-producing technology. Corn kernels are grown using regenerative agriculture practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then popped in hot air to create crispy, fresh popcorn with fewer shells than standard popcorn.

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Market Segmentation

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Type Outlook

• Savory RTE Popcorn


• Sweet RTE Popcorn


• Others

Ready-to-eat Popcorn End-Use Outlook

• Household


• Commercial

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Distribution Channel Outlook

• Store-Based


• Non-Store-Based

Ready-to-eat Popcorn Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  

• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  

• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  

• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America