(Food-Beverage-News.Com, December 05, 2018 ) Weight management food are functional food products facilitating weight gain or weight loss as per consumer requirement. Weight management food include low-calorie desserts, meals and organic foods, sugar-free confectionaries and high protein food. There are various types of weight management food such as grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy products. Weight management food are either ultra-processed or minimally processed and are obtained from various sources such as plant-based and animal based.
Weight Management Market Remains a Consolidated Landscape
Tier 1 companies account for a significant share of the Weight Management Market. The leading players, including Danone S.A., General Mills Inc., Groupe Lactalis S.A., Kellogg Co., Kraft Heinz Company and Nestle S.A. collectively account for a revenue share of more than 45% of the overall weight management market.
Sales and distribution strength of these companies is relatively higher with considerable presence across developed countries of Europe and North America, with key strategies being expansion through strategic acquisitions and weight management portfolio enhancement. For instance, Yakult Danone India, a joint venture between Danone S.A and Yakult Honsha Co Ltd., is further expanding its weight management product portfolio with addition of Yakult Light. Kellogg Co., has launched vegan and organic cereals with “no-added-sugar” in 2017 to cater to consumer demand for healthy diet and plant-based weight management food products.
US-China Trade War to Impact Weight Management Food Trade and Pricing Scenario
On-going US-China trade has disrupted the international trade scenario. Both major world economies have been imposing tariffs on various consumer goods, which is likely to have an indirect impact on the import-export scenario of weight management food such as nuts and various types of seeds. Attempting to challenge Washington DC, China (Beijing) is planning on imposing a 25 percent tariff on around US$ 50 billion agricultural products.
China has started levying additional tariffs on American nuts, wheat, soybeans, and dairy products, to name a few. However, action is still pending depending on US decision on threatened tariff on Chinese goods worth US$ 200 billion, which is expected in September 2018. Trade war between the world’s two major economies continues to remain a key factor likely to impact international weight management food trade along with price alterations in both countries in the coming years.
Proactive Consumption and Healthy Aging Fuel Demand for Weight Management Food
Sustainable and long-term health and wellness has gained significant traction as consumers of all age groups are inclined toward the trend. According to United Nations’ World Population Prospects report, 2017 revealed a count of over 960 million people in 60 year age group and the count is likely to double by 2050. Additionally, over 80 percent adults in the 60-65 years age group have at least one chronic ailment or disorder, according to National Council of Aging (NCOA). Chronic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disorders among individuals are expected to increase, reveals NCOA. Growing health concerns associated with these disorders has generated a sense of proactive consumption of healthy food such as weight management packaged food products.
Obesity and Overweight Continue to Raise Concerns, Triggering Weight Management Packaged Food Demand
Co-existing with malnutrition, the obesity epidemic has not left any region untouched. Obesity can cause mental and physical diseases impacting overall lifestyle of individual. According to World Health Organization (WHO), obesity level worldwide tripled since 1975. In 2016, over 2 million adults in the age group of 18 years and more were classified as overweight with 650 million being obese. WHO revealed that mortality due to overweight and obesity are more as compared to mortalities by underweight. Associated with various cardiovascular disorders, obesity concerns have triggered the consumption of functional foods such as weight management products. This aspect continues to influence the sales of these products, complementing the market’s growth.
Competitive Landscape
The report on weight management market includes detailed competitive assessment covering profiles of major companies involved in production. Various facets of competition including SWOT analysis, weight management portfolio analysis, new developments, mergers and acquisitions, and key strategies are covered. The report on weight management market has profiled companies such as Danone S.A., Nestle S.A., General Mills Inc., and Marc Incorporated.
Companies in the weight management market are venturing into collaborations to expand their reach in international markets to offer new products. For instance, a 50:50 joint venture between Danone S.A and Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., was initiated in 2018, to from Danone Yakult, in a bid to market probiotics as a part of balanced diet.
New product launch to enhance revenue generation has been an integral strategy of weight management food companies. In June 2018, General Mills Inc., introduced high protein and low sugar yogurt – a new addition in its dairy based weight management packaged food. In 2018, Nestle S.A introduced new desserts with different flavors – the KITKAT Mini Moments – in Middle East. In 2018, Pepsi Co, Inc., re-launched Quaker Cereals in United Kingdom with less sugar content.
Weight management packaged food companies are also involved in acquisitions and takeovers to enhance their global footprint and product line extension. In 2017, Mars Incorporated acquired minority stake in Kind – a snack bar company. In the same year, it also acquired Preferred Brands International to offer healthy convenience foods.
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