Popcorn Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Ready-to-eat popcorn & Microwave popcorn), By Application (Household & Commercial), and Regional Insight and Forecast to 2035

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POPCORN MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Popcorn Market Size is anticipated to witness consistent growth, starting from USD 5.36 billion in 2025, reaching USD 5.7 billion in 2026, and climbing to USD 9.9 billion by 2035, at a steady CAGR of 6.4%.

The popcorn trading market is an ever-changing and progressing sector within the global snacks industry. Popcorn is a snack produced from earthen wreathed heated kernels of corn. For a long period, people eat this as a snack, but from various moods, it has grown into something from a simple snack to today's gourmet and health snack and has become one among the most, once again, lucrative business opportunities.

There are various factors driving the popcorn market growth such as, consumers are shifting towards healthier eating habits and demand for convenient on-the-go snacks. Growing consumption of home entertainment, especially post-COVID-19, has also catalyzed demand for microwaveable and pre-packed popcorn. 

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Social Distancing Measure During Pandemic Resulted in Increased Home Consumption of Popcorn

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The pandemic of COVID-19 had a great impact on the popcorn industry. Restrictions imposed on businesses, by closing theatres and social distancing, have changed consumer behavior in which popcorn consumption has increased in homes. Since cinemas and other entertainment venues closed, people tried to recreate in-house movie theater experiences by increasing demand for microwaveable and ready-to-eat popcorn. This coincided with the growing demand for streaming services and home entertainment. Bulk sales were, however, disrupted by rising tensions in the supply chain and closure of theatres. Nevertheless, this pandemic drove many innovations in flavors and packaging, focusing mainly on healthy and convenient at-home consumption options.

LATEST TRENDS

Premiumization of Popcorn to Drive Market Growth

Popcorn is becoming a premium food and is one of the key drivers of market growth. These gourmet consumers increasingly seek unique flavor and quality ingredients. Many brands now offer premium varieties of popcorn with truffle oil, dark chocolate, and caramel sea salt, catering to the preferences of sophisticated tastes. At this premium price point, added assets include artisanal preparation techniques and innovative packaging, positioning popcorn as a luxury snack. This has also been pleasing to health-conscious consumers, given that many premium categories claim non-GMO, organic, or otherwise-natural premium ingredients. The idea of premiumization pursues broadening markets and attracting discerning, high-spending consumers at the same time.

• According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), microwave popcorn sales have seen a significant increase, particularly in North America. In 2022, over 60% of U.S. households purchased microwaveable popcorn, driven by consumer preferences for convenience and on-the-go snacking.

• According to the Popcorn Board (USA), the demand for gourmet and flavored popcorn has surged in recent years. As of 2023, 20% of all popcorn sales in the U.S. were accounted for by premium, flavored varieties such as cheese, caramel, and spicy jalapeño, reflecting a growing consumer preference for unique snack experiences.

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POPCORN MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Ready-to-eat popcorn & Microwave popcorn

• Ready-to-eat popcorn: It is pre-popped packaged popcorn which by itself is instantly consumed. It's quite popular for being convenient, portable, and available in a multitude of flavors-from classic butter or cheese to gourmet like caramel or truffle.

• Microwave popcorn: It contains kernels that have not yet popped, along with pre-packaged seasoning to be popped in a microwave. It is a staple at home for movie nights and entertainment, perfect for consumers who want native freshness and customizable flavors.
   

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Household & Commercial

• Household: The household segment dominates the market, driven by rising home entertainment trends. Popcorn is a staple for casual snacking, movie nights, and family gatherings.

• Commercial: This segment includes revenue from theaters, amusement parks, and at other venues. All the sections are affected during the pandemic due to its restriction. Gradually, the commercial part is recovering through theater reopenings and other out-of-home activities.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.                 

Driving Factors

Consumers Shifting Towards Healthier Eating Habits to Boost the Market

A factor in the popcorn market growth is the consumers are shifting towards healthier eating habits. Popcorn-including particularly air-popped kinds-are thought of as low-calorie, high-fibre snack, hence they are popularly eaten by many health-conscious people. The self-proclaimed brands began focusing on the clean label products-the organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO varieties-for the emerging trend. Popcorn is also really palatable naturally flavored without putting extra artificial additives. In the context of health and wellness trends, popcorn thus serves as an appropriate substitute for calorie-packed snacks that will eventually encourage market growth.

• According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC), consumers are increasingly opting for healthier snack alternatives, and popcorn fits this trend due to its low-calorie and high-fiber profile. In 2022, nearly 45% of U.S. consumers chose popcorn over other snacks as a healthier option, contributing to the market's growth.

• According to the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), with the surge in home streaming and entertainment, popcorn consumption has risen significantly. In 2022, 40% of U.S. households reported purchasing popcorn for home movie nights or streaming activities, highlighting the connection between entertainment trends and snack consumption.

Demand for Convenient on-the-go Snacks to Expand the Market

The demand for convenient on-the-go snacks is another key aspect of the popcorn market. Ready-to-eat popcorn is packed for travel and one of the most popular snacks of the busy consumer. It is lightweight and packaged so that it easily moves with you possibly in your pocket or purse. The flavors-from the classic butter to some truly innovative gourmet-will suit everyone's tastes, Add convenience to speed, and there's no wonder that it's become a fixture on any snack table in the world.

Restraining Factors

Fluctuating Raw Material Prices to Potentially Impede Market Growth
 

A restraining element within the growth of the popcorn market is the fluctuating raw material prices. Weather conditions are bad such as supply chain disruptions and depression in geopolitics, and they could cause a variety of unpredictable cost fluctuations. These impact the production costs for manufacturers, which typically translates into higher prices at the consumer's pocket. Uncertainty posed by raw material prices unfavorably affects one's fortunes and market stability.

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the price of corn, the primary raw material for popcorn production, has seen volatility in recent years due to weather-related challenges and global supply chain disruptions. In 2023, corn prices were reported to have increased by 12%, which directly impacts the production cost of popcorn.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some flavored popcorn varieties may contain artificial additives and high levels of sodium, leading to health concerns. As of 2023, 25% of popcorn products in the U.S. were criticized for containing unhealthy additives, limiting their appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Introducing Popcorn Enriched with Functional Benefit To Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market

Opportunity

There is really a blend of enormous potential for market development by presenting popcorn with consequential functional benefits. There is a lot of innovation by brands in trying to add ingredients like protein, vitamins and minerals, and superfoods to popcorn for what they are going to market as an added-value snack. Functional popcorn serves most health-conscious consumers looking for convenience in their diets without sacrificing nutrition. Some options such as high-fiber, antioxidant-rich, or immune-boosting variants are possible within this wellness trend. With this approach, the product not only gets differentiated in the competitive marketplace, but it'll also tap into potentially new cohorts, which include all fitness enthusiasts as well as preventive health-focused clients.

• According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic food consumption has risen significantly over the past few years, and popcorn is no exception. In 2023, the sale of organic popcorn accounted for 12% of total popcorn sales in the U.S., as more consumers prioritize organic and non-GMO snack options.

• According to The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the demand for popcorn is growing in international markets, particularly in regions such as Asia and Latin America. In 2022, popcorn consumption in Asia increased by 15% as urbanization and Westernized snack preferences took hold in countries like China and India.

Health Concerns Over Processed Snacks Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

Challenge

Actually, the concern about health-biased processed snacks appears to be a threat against the popcorn market. Some popcorn is promoted as healthy but contrary to that, unhealthy varieties are highly processed and contain artificial additives, high sugar, or sodium. Such health concerns can discourage the health-conscious consumer, seeking clean-label products with natural ingredients. These unhealthy options turn popcorn into "junk food," which can hinder market growth. Therefore, manufacturers should guard against this by using a transparent approach that reduces artificial components and promotes healthier, minimally processed alternatives to sustain consumer trust.

• According to the Snacks and Sweets Association (SSA), popcorn faces increasing competition from other snacks like chips, nuts, and baked goods. In 2022, 32% of snack consumption was attributed to chips, compared to 28% for popcorn, signaling a shift in consumer preferences towards other options.

• According to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), popcorn production is highly sensitive to environmental factors, such as droughts and floods. In 2022, severe drought conditions in the U.S. Midwest led to a 7% decrease in popcorn crop yields, affecting the availability and pricing of popcorn in the market.

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POPCORN MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America (U.S. COMPULSORY)

The popcorn market in the world is headed by North America. A strong snacking culture and the association of popcorn with movies continue to keep up sustained demand. The United States Popcorn Market is a primary consumer of popcorn and has an attractive market for ready-to-eat (RTE) and microwave popcorn. However, the region innovates gourmet and health-focused versions. The increasing health awareness and craving for organic and non-GMO snacks further fuel the growth of this segment. In addition, the cinemas reopening is adding to the commercial segment after the pandemic.

• Europe

The popcorn market keeps experiencing measured growth across Europe networked with awareness towards popcorn as an unhealthy source of snack. UK, Germany, and France are the foremost markets, and gradual attention is being placed on ready-to-eat types. The trend is also observed for other important countries whereby European consumers mostly lean towards organic and clean-label products with increasing production of healthier options by manufacturers. The gourmet popcorn category with the latest trends in "exotic, premium flavors" is getting more popular among gourmet audiences: the traditionalism from the big box retailers does not disabuse market dynamics. Retail expansion coupled with online distribution channels has it going also for the region in terms of improving the market.

• Asia

Asia has become an underdeveloped emerging market with the potential of becoming one of the strongest growth markets in the world. These include urbanization, growth in disposable income, and the adoption of Western snacking habits. Urban demand has significantly risen in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Also increased cinema culture popularity and growing use of streaming services have increased demand for at-home popcorn consumption. The ready-to-eat popcorn combined with innovative flavors tailored for local consumption are expanding the market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

The primary participants in the industry are running an unending race with each other in innovating the popcorn market while deciding to widen their territories as they prepare to offer their products to new areas. Companies are engaged in leading the charge of diversifying through new flavors and health-focused variants to lure health-conscious patrons, in addition to adding premium popcorns into their portfolios. PepsiCo and The Hershey Company have filled their noses with the same kind of aroma to add another dimension to their collection in terms of premium and functional popcorn products. Then there are strategic partnerships, e-commerce initiatives, and new geographical markets coming into play. There are these companies who modify their distribution channels, practice green sustainability, and prioritize customers' needs for example.

• ConAgra: According to ConAgra Brands, the company is one of the largest producers of ready-to-eat popcorn through its Orville Redenbacher’s brand. In 2022, ConAgra’s popcorn division accounted for over 35% of the U.S. ready-to-eat popcorn market.

• PepsiCo: As reported by PepsiCo, the company owns the popular popcorn brand Smartfood, which has seen steady growth in the U.S. market. In 2022, Smartfood’s market share in the U.S. popcorn sector was estimated at 15%, with a focus on healthy, flavored popcorn products.

List of Top Popcorn Companies

• ConAgra (U.S.)
• Weaver Popcorn (U.S.)
• PepsiCo (U.S.)
• Amplify (U.S.)
• Snyder's-Lance (U.S.)
• Butterkist (UK)
• American Popcorn (U.S.)
• Angie's Artisan Treats (U.S.)
• Borges (Spain)
• Chamerfood (Spain)
• Garrett Popcorn Shops (U.S.)
• Newman’s Own (U.S.)
• Aramidth International (Netherlands)
• Joe and Seph (UK)
• Mage's (U.S.)
• Inter-Grain (Australia)
• Quinn (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

June 2024: Netflix expanded beyond streaming by launching its line of popcorn called "Netflix Now Popping," The popcorn comes in two flavors: "Cult Classic Cheddar Kettle Corn" and "Swoonworthy Cinnamon Kettle Corn," priced at USD 4.50 per bag. This initiative is part of Netflix's broader strategy to enhance its brand presence, which includes plans for "Netflix Houses" and a pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles featuring dishes from its shows.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The popcorn market is poised for a continued boom pushed by consumers who are shifting towards healthier eating habits and demand for convenient on-the-go snacks. Despite challenges, which include concern about health-biased processed snacks. Key industry players are advancing via technological upgrades and strategic marketplace growth, enhancing the supply and attraction of popcorn. As customer choices shift towards healthy options, the popcorn market is expected to thrive, with persistent innovation and a broader reputation fueling its destiny prospects.