Asia-Pacific Meal Replacement Products Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The Asia-Pacific meal replacement products market size is expected to grow from USD 3.73 billion in 2023 to USD 5.09 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period.

Key Highlights

• Meal replacement products are gaining traction among consumers who are monitoring their diet patterns, especially those who are managing their weight or controlling their blood sugar levels. Additionally, the market mainly targets consumers with time constraints, busy lifestyles, and hectic work schedules by helping them replace their meals with healthier and nutritious products instead of conventional snacks.
• Asia-Pacific has one of the world's highest obesity rates. In India, the percentage of overweight or obese women grew from 20.6% in 2016 to 24% in 2021, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The prevalence among men, on the other hand, rose by nearly 22.9% in 2021. Such factors are expected to drive the region's demand for meal replacement products.
• The industry caters to consumers with time restrictions, demanding schedules, and busy lifestyles by assisting them in switching from standard snacks to healthy meals. On the contrary, a large proportion of the population is health and fitness conscious, which is expected to boost the demand. The weight management trend has boosted the demand for meal replacement bars and powders in the food industry, making Australia the largest market for meal replacement products in the Asia-Pacific region.
• However, due to factors such as high prices and less sustainability speculated for long-term consumption of meal replacement products, the market faces constraints in expanding its consumer base. Products like supplement powders and shakes are generally consumed by those who are willing to spend exponentially high to satiate their hunger.

Asia-Pacific Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

Consumers Managing Special Diets Strive on Meal Replacements

• Owing to the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, consumers are rigorously monitoring their regular diets and nutrition intake and increasingly inclining toward meal replacement products. According to the findings of a comprehensive study performed throughout India by an Indian fitness technology company GOQii, more than 43% of respondents who had diabetes in 2021 were older than 60.
• Significantly, 3.3% of respondents in the 20-29 age group reported having diabetes in that particular year. In the Asia-Pacific region, numerous companies are primarily dedicated to offering tailored meals, such as shakes and drinks, for people willing to cut regular diets to lose weight effectively.
• Companies such as General Mills, KETO, Garden of Life, and Abbott Laboratories are introducing meal replacement products for consumers monitoring special diets, such as no-sugar, keto, low-sodium, and low-fat, which remains another factor boosting the market studied.
• The health and wellness trend can be expected to remain the most important influence on developments in meal replacement products across the region. Thus, the sales of nutritional bars in the region are growing, as consumers across want to have snacks that are not only low in added sugar but also offer clear health benefits. There has been a surge in demand for organic meal replacement products such as organic powder supplements, beverages, and snack bars which in turn drive the market growth.

Australia is the Among the Fastest-growing Market in the Region

• The hectic lifestyles of people have led to disturbed food habits. Thus, the demand for on-the-go nutrition has increased over the years. Meal replacement shakes and nutrition bars are simple and effective weight-loss tools for overweight or obese people with diabetes.
• According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey report, overweight and obese almost affect 67% of Australian adults. Thus, the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among the younger population and millennials is increasing the demand for meal replacement bars as it helps to promote weight loss in several ways, including boosting metabolism and reducing appetite.
• The convenience of cereal bars, including on-the-go snacking products, is leading consumers to prefer these bars to get the required energy and nutritional benefits in one convenient, easy-to-stow package. The trend of "anytime" snacks is increasing in the country, and products such as nutritional bars used as meal replacements by health-conscious consumers are escalating in the market. Further, organic meal replacement products, such as organic powder supplements, beverages, and snack bars, are becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers. The rapid expansion of specialty and online retail stores plays a key role in making these products easily accessible to consumers.

Asia-Pacific Meal Replacement Products Industry Overview

The Asia-Pacific meal replacement products market is emerging, led by the entrants of various local and global players, such as Amway Corp., Herbalife, Nestle SA, Glanbia PLC, and Abbott Laboratories. Key players have been innovating new products with new functionalities and taste preferences to cater to the demands of various age groups and gain a competitive advantage.

Manufacturers are incorporating measures to increase their product visibility on retail shelves by expanding their distribution channels and adopting innovative marketing strategies. The manufacturers are increasing their investments in R&D, marketing, and product innovation to maintain their market positions.

Global players, such as Herbalife, Amway Corp., and others, focus on leveraging the opportunities offered by emerging segments, like sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO products.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support