In the trillion snack market, consumers from various age groups, regions, and cultural backgrounds exhibit diverse needs. Gen Z favors novel and fun flavor experiences, office workers seek the emotional value snacks provide, and health-conscious consumers prefer high-nutrition, low-guilt products. Accurately targeting these niche markets has become the key for brands to break through growth bottlenecks.

- What's new in the 2025 snack market?

- What do consumers currently prefer? Which sub-category have the most potential?

- How can brands achieve differentiated innovation while managing costs?

Amid the rapid expansion of the functional food market, Chinese wellness snacks, with their unique "food therapy" benefits, are spearheading a new wave of upgrades in the snack industry. According to Leadleo, the scale of China's wellness snack industry is projected to reach 751.4 billion yuan by 2026. Riding this trend, wellness snacks that incorporate traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients like red dates, goji berries, and mulberries are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and health benefits.

How can brands leverage precise market insights, scientifically balanced nutrition, and a rich cultural heritage to transform wellness snacks from a niche category into a new mainstream consumer trend?

Data shows that 78% of respondents are willing to pay a premium for products labeled as "natural/all-natural." After switching to clean labels, companies saw an average revenue increase of 15%, a profit boost of 11%, and a price hike of 18%. A short ingredient list represents visible "health" for consumers. Leveraging the natural properties of raw ingredients is the key to striking the perfect balance between taste and health in snacks!

From ingredients to formulations, and from physical health to emotional well-being, snacks seem to be on a mission to redefine health. How can we shed the "high fat, high sugar, high calorie" labels and turn snacks into guilt-free indulgences for consumers? Let's explore the new trends in making snacks healthier!

Under the impact of health-conscious consumption trends, "sweetness" is gradually becoming a burden. How can the traditional candy market find growth breakthroughs amid declining demand? As one of the largest candy companies in the U.S., boasting 22 iconic brands such as Nerds, Jelly Belly, Trolli, and SweeTart, Ferrara refuses to settle for the status quo. Instead, it is committed to reinventing candy with fresh and innovative twists. With its strong innovative DNA, Ferrara elevated the classic Nerds brand to new heights. By creating Nerds Gummy Cluster—a soft gummy ball coated with crunchy pieces that delivers a delightful combination of textures and flavors—Ferrara achieved a legendary leap in sales, growing from $40 million to $800 million in just six years, a remarkable 20x increase. In this session, we will delve into Ferrara's innovative practices and explore how meticulous attention to detail can breathe new life into classic candy brands.

Candy design isn't just a feast for the taste buds—it's a playground for creativity. From childhood favorites like ring and lipstick candies to 4D building block gummies and peelable treats, fun and imaginative gummies have captured the hearts of many. Whether it's hyper-realistic shapes created through collaborations with trending IPs or tech-infused lollipops that play music as you enjoy them, gummies are at the forefront of sweet innovation. What surprises will the next candy bring? Let's explore the endless possibilities of candy design together!

We all know sprouting potatoes can be toxic, but did you know sprouting nuts can unlock immense health benefits? During the sprouting process, enzymatic activity significantly enhances nutrient absorption while giving the nuts a unique, popcorn-like crunch. With its sprouted nut product line, Daily Crunch has become one of the fastest-growing food brands in the U.S., achieving an astounding 1547% revenue growth over the past three years! Let's dive into Daily Crunch and explore the limitless potential of sprouted nuts!

Baked goods have entered a dazzling era, where consumers seek not only a higher level of taste but also an elevated artistic experience. The rise of baking aesthetics is driven by an increasing appreciation for visual appeal, transforming baked creations into a sensory feast for both the eyes and the palate. This shift influences product design concepts, offering brands new creative directions that emphasize the fusion of innovation and art, showcasing the limitless possibilities in the world of baking.

From trendy health-focused bakeries to black sesame and herbal-infused cookies, the traditional "food as medicine" philosophy has captured the attention of young consumers, blending indulgence with wellness. The popularity of treats like tangerine peel cinnamon apple crisps and monk fruit blueberry sourdough hints at a new wave of growth in the market. What blue ocean opportunities lie behind the rise of these herbal-infused baked goods, which perfectly align with the wellness trends of today's "health-conscious but indulgent" generation?

The "big three" of funky snacks—stinky tofu, durian, and Luosifen—have long intrigued adventurous eaters. But these pungent snacks aren't content with being niche delights; they are now embracing cross-border innovation. From stinky tofu ice cream to durian-flavored spicy strips and Luosifen mooncakes, these bold flavors are tapping into consumers' curiosity and driving new growth in the snack market. Which funky flavors will become the next breakout hit? Let's dive into the emerging trend of niche flavors in the snack industry!

With 75 years of continuous innovation and a legacy of creating iconic products every 5-10 years, Calbee has built a snack empire. Its signature products include the 20-year classic Veggie Sticks series, the 40-year classic Potato Chips series, the 55-year classic Kappa Ebisen Shrimp Chips, and the Jagabee Potato Sticks series.

To craft potato chips with unique textures and flavors, Calbee begins its journey at the source—potato farming. Through optimizing taste, inventing creative ways to enjoy snacks, and launching regionally exclusive flavors, Calbee continuously redefines consumer expectations of snacks. This commitment to exceptional product quality has cemented Calbee as a beloved snack brand in Japan. In 2023, Calbee's revenue exceeded 301 billion yen, securing its position as the top-selling snack brand in Japan.

This session will unveil the secrets behind Calbee's innovation and success:

 - What are the product logic and brand management strategies that drive Calbee's transformation of innovative ideas into timeless snacks?

 - How can this case inspire Chinese snack companies to achieve comprehensive upgrades in product development, branding, and market strategy?

What led PepsiCo to acquire a Mexican-inspired snack brand, less than 10 years old, for a staggering ￥8.5 billion? Siete cracked the market by embracing the rich cultural heritage of Mexican flavours, while also revitalizing traditional snacks with innovative, health-conscious ingredients. By replacing conventional grains and dairy with alternatives like avocado oil and almond flour, Siete offers consumers the perfect fusion of regional flavor and health benefits. We'll explore how Siete has redefined traditional snack innovation and reveal how regional snacks can stand out globally.

Over the past decade, truffle flavor has emerged as one of the fastest-growing trends in the food and beverage market. According to Mintel, new product launches featuring black truffle flavor have increased at an annual growth rate of 51%. Once celebrated as the “diamond of the table” and a symbol of European aristocracy, black truffles have now found their way into chips, fries, biscuits, mooncakes, and more—achieving exposure beyond imagination!

FBIF has partnered with leading truffle brand Sumerians, alongside top global ingredient companies and executive chef teams, to craft 4-6 creative snacks inspired by the theme of "black truffle." Join us on-site to explore the limitless possibilities of black truffle flavors!

Get ready for a snack celebration that crosses borders! In the "Global Snack Awards," we'll embark on a flavorful journey across the world, exploring exotic delights from Asia's spicy sensations to Europe’s sweet temptations, each with its own unique story. As we taste and share, we'll search for that one snack that instantly captivates your taste buds—the true "national favorite." Plus, don't miss the interactive voting session, where you’ll help decide the next big hit in the snack world!

The spotlight is on Mars or PepsiCo, as the snack industry witnessed a surge in investment activity throughout 2024. In February, Mars acquired premium chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat, followed by a massive 256.2 billion yuan acquisition of Pringles' parent company, Kellanova, in September. Meanwhile, PepsiCo secured the Mexican-inspired snack brand Siete for 8.5 billion. These snack giants are rapidly expanding their portfolios and targeting more niche consumer segments. What strategic intent lies behind these bold investments, and how are they reshaping the snack landscape?

Founded in 2005 as a bulk snack supplier for KA supermarkets, YanJin Food entered a new phase of growth after 2021, launching bold products like "Danhuang" quail eggs and the popular "DAMOWANG" konjak. In the first half of 2024, YanJin Food achieved revenues of 2.459 billion yuan, marking a 28.84% year-on-year growth. By focusing on the Chinese snack sector and adhering to a diverse, multi-category product strategy, YanJin Food is steadily building a uniquely Chinese snack brand through a balance of tradition and innovation.

How did Cui Sheng Sheng, once an unknown snack manufacturer for imported products, break through in the fiercely competitive potato crisp market and surpass 1 billion in annual sales? Its success lies in the precise identification of gaps in the fries market at the time, as well as continuous upgrades in its technological capabilities. This topic will dive into the key decisions behind Cui Sheng Sheng’s brand transformation, exploring how the company leveraged its supply chain advantages, technological innovation, and product strength to achieve a remarkable turnaround and claim a leading position in the market.

In October 2024, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced plans to include candy products and beverages in the health food registration category. With candy, chocolate, and jelly products being recognized as potential health foods, this opens up new channel expansion opportunities for the candy industry. As snacks enter pharmacies, how will consumer purchasing habits change? Is this shift a promising opportunity or a significant challenge? Join us as we dive into the potential impact of this transformation!