Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Plain, Salted, Ranch Flavored, BBQ Flavored, Dill Pickle Flavored), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global packaged sunflower seeds market size was valued at USD 1.03 billion in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2020 to 2027. The growing demand for ready-to-eat foods and shifting preference towards healthy snacks have been fueling the growth of the market. Such products have been gaining traction among sportsmen, especially baseball players, as an alternative to chewing tobacco. Packaged sunflower seeds are expected to gain traction as a functional snack in the upcoming years due to their high nutritional value.

The products are usually made with a non-oilseed variety of sunflowers with black and white stripes. These products are available to consumers as healthy snacks, either hulled or in-shell, in various sizes. Such packaged snacks are excellent sources of fat-soluble antioxidants, vitamin E, healthy fats, and fibers. A quarter-cup of these seeds contains 80% of the DRA of vitamin E, whose nutty texture and several health benefits make these seeds an attractive snack for health-conscious consumers. Ukraine, Russia, China, Romania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Turkey, and Hungary are the world's major sunflower seed producing countries.

Packaged sunflower seeds are beneficial in promoting heart health, reducing inflammation, treating diabetes, slowing down the aging process, preventing cancer, and decreasing cholesterol. The vitamin E content of the seeds helps in reducing the risk of developing osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, these seeds contain magnesium, which helps prevent migraines and headaches, reduce hypertension, relax nerves, and avoid muscle spasm. Additionally, vitamin B1 and electrolytes present in the product help in boosting energy. The growing trend of a healthy diet and increasing awareness about the product's health benefits are expected to boost the market growth in the upcoming years.  

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline segment dominated the market with more than 80.0% share of the overall revenue in 2019. Domestic or international supermarket and hypermarket chains are the key distribution channels for the product over the world. These retail outlets attract consumers with their wide range of products and appealing offers and discounts. Walmart, Kroger, Tesco PLC, and Ahold are some of the world's key supermarket chains. In addition, local grocery stores, snack bars, and convenience stores account for a significant share in the market.

The online channel segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 7.7% from 2020 to 2027. The increasing adoption of e-commerce and the surging number of online selling portals are expected to fuel the segment growth in the upcoming years. Furthermore, the international e-commerce players such as Amazon are enhancing the market growth by expanding the consumer reach across the globe.

Product Insights

The salted product segment dominated the market with more than 35.0% share of the global revenue in 2019. Packaged sunflower seeds are available in plain as well as in different flavors, such as salty, ranch, sweet, pickle, spicy, jalapeno, salsa, barbeque, sour cream, cracked pepper, fusion, spicy queso, lemon, seasoned, chipotle, and honey mastered. Among these flavors, roasted and salted sunflower seeds are among the most popular snacks in the market. The extensive range of flavors has been attracting consumers, thereby fueling the growth of the market. Manufacturers have been introducing innovative flavors to expand their consumer base.

In April 2018, BIGS, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc., introduced its Taco Bell-inspired flavored product, called BIGS Taco Bell Taco Supreme. The product is made with the U.S.-grown seeds flavored with spicy taco flavor. This new flavor is expected to attract taco lovers across the U.S.

The ranch-flavored product segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 7.6% from 2020 to 2027. This flavor has been gaining traction over the years, especially in North America, owing to its creamy and tangy taste. Bacon Ranch and buffalo-style ranch are the trendy varieties of this flavor, which are expected to witness significant growth in the upcoming years.

Regional Insights

Europe held the largest share of more than 40.0% in 2019. The product, especially in-shell seed, is prevalent street food in the Mediterranean and Eastern European countries. The consumers in the region often consume roasted products. However, consumer preferences for packaged sunflower seeds vary in different countries in the region. For instance, consumers in Spain mostly prefer salted, roasted, and in-shelled products. Furthermore, the growing demand for convenience foods and functional snacks in Western Europe is expected to boost the demand for packaged sunflower seeds in the upcoming years.

Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.4% from 2020 to 2027. China is a prominent market in the region as packaged sunflower seeds are a traditional snack in the nation. These seeds are an essential food item for the Chinese New Year. Furthermore, with the growing trend of healthy snacks, the demand for packaged sunflower seeds is expected to increase across the region over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is fragmented with the presence of a few international and numerous regional players. For instance, brands including DAVID Seeds, Nature's Harvest, Good Sense, Planters, and BIGS have a significant presence in the North American market. In comparison, brands such as GANCEDO and REALFOODSOURCE are popular in European countries. Over the past few years, manufacturers have been expanding their businesses by introducing innovative flavors in their product lines and enhancing marketing strategies. For instance, in April 2018, BIGS, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc., promoted its new BIGS Taco Bell Taco to support integrated marketing approaches, including digital video, social media, free bag giveaway, and event sampling. Some prominent players in the global packaged sunflower seeds market include:

• Conagra Brands, Inc. 

• Frito-Lay North America, Inc. (PepsiCo)

• The Kraft Heinz Company

• Sincerely Nuts

• Chinook Seedery

• Flaper S.A.

• Waymouth Farms, Inc.

• Dakota Style Foods

• GIANT Snacks Inc.

• REALFOODSOURCE LTD.

Packaged Sunflower Seeds Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global packaged sunflower seeds market report on the basis of product, distribution channel, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Plain

  • Salted

  • Ranch Flavored

  • BBQ Flavored

  • Dill Pickle Flavored

  • Other Flavored

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Offline

  • Online

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa