The global popcorn market size is estimated to reach USD 10.35 billion in 2030 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing awareness about health among consumers is propelling the industry's growth. The demand for salty snacks, along with innovation in terms of flavors, is boosting the growth. New product innovations are becoming more popular among consumers, particularly in the Asia Pacific and North America regions. For instance, in February 2023, AMC Entertainment launched a new line of microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn exclusively available at Walmart. This product line includes various flavors designed to replicate the movie theater popcorn experience at home. The microwave popcorn comes in flavors such as “Butter,” “Cheddar,” and “Kettle Corn,” while the ready-to-eat options will feature “Movie Theater Butter” and “Cheddar.” The collaboration aims to cater to popcorn lovers and enhance home viewing experiences, making it easier for consumers to enjoy quality snacks reminiscent of the cinema.
The rising demand for popcorn is being driven by several factors, starting with the increasing preference for healthier snacks. As more consumers focus on better-for-you options, popcorn has emerged as a popular choice due to its low-calorie, high-fiber profile, especially in its air-popped or lightly flavored forms. Popcorn brands have capitalized on this trend by promoting non-GMO, gluten-free, and whole-grain attributes, appealing to the growing number of health-conscious individuals. In addition, as the pandemic accelerated home entertainment and snacking habits, popcorn has benefited from being a convenient and enjoyable option for home movie nights and streaming binges.
Moreover, sustainability has become an essential trend in this era as consumers have become more concerned about health, wellness, and environmental issues, such as the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation. Thus, continuous innovation in terms of product quality, along with packaging design improvements, drives customer traction. The ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn industry is booming with sales growing faster than microwave popcorn due to a rise in gourmet varieties and a reputation as a healthy snack meal. The demand for RTE is expected to grow in developing countries such as India. With over 50 popcorn flavors and varieties, 4700BC, for example, has seen a 200+ percent increase in retail and e-commerce sales in October 2021.
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Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.0% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2030. With the expansion of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, more people are consuming entertainment at home, replicating the cinema experience with popcorn. As a traditional movie snack, popcorn has become a staple for home viewing events, leading to greater demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) and microwave popcorn options.
Based on type, microwave popcorn is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2025 to 2030. Microwave popcorn offers a quick and easy snack option that can be prepared in minutes, appealing to busy consumers looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy popcorn at home.
In terms of distribution channel, sales through B2B channels are expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2030. Popcorn remains a staple snack for movie theaters, driving consistent demand in the B2B space. Outdoor events, film festivals, and entertainment venues are contributing to rising popcorn consumption. Popcorn’s low cost, long shelf life, and high margin make it an ideal snack for large venues looking to maximize profits from concessions.
Grand View Research has segmented the global popcorn market based type, distribution channel, and region:
Popcorn Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Ready-to-Eat Popcorn
Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
B2B
B2C
Supermarket/Hypermarket
Convenience Stores
Online
Others
Popcorn Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
UK
France
Italy
Spain
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
Australia & New Zealand
South Korea
Central & South America
Brazil
Argentina
Middle East & Africa
South Africa
List of Key Players in Popcorn Market
Campbell Soup Company
PepsiCo Inc.
Conagra Brands, Inc.
Weaver Popcorn, Inc.
Quinn Foods LLC
The Hershey Company
Eagle Family Foods Group LLC
PROPER Snacks
JOLLY TIME
Intersnack Group GmbH & Co. KG.
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