Market Trends of Chia Seed Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Chia Seed Market according to our research experts:
Growing Popularity of Superfoods
The popularity of 'super' ingredients has increased significantly over the recent past, with product launches, as consumers are more inclined toward natural and wholesome ingredients. These products have high nutritional and functional value, and their chemical composition is rich in PUFAs, mainly ω-3, as well as protein, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds. The market is driven by consumer preference toward functional and health-based naturally derived products. Chia seeds are readily available in grocery stores because they have a high demand around the world. A key factor for the sale of 'superfoods', including chia seeds, is the availability and accessibility of supermarkets, compared to traditional grocery stores and convenience stores.
Superfoods in Europe are considered an important health supplement, which enables growth in the market. In the region, chia has not only found its entrance in the health shops and specialty stores but also in major supermarkets, such as Tesco (United Kingdom), El Corte Ingles (Spain), and Albert Heijn (Netherlands). It is also sold as a food supplement in drug stores. It reflects a growing interest of the main public in healthy food and 'superfoods'. Additionally, in recent years, the usage of chia seeds has tremendously grown in the food industry due to their high nutritional and medicinal values. Chia seeds can be used in different shapes, whole, ground, and in the form of flour, oil, and gel. All these factors are expected to contribute to the growth of the market.
North America is the Major Consumer in the Market
North America is the largest consumer of chia seeds in the study period. The demand for chia seeds in the North American market is driven by the vegan food requirements, community lifestyle, health awareness, and shifting from junk foods to healthy snacks. The American Heart Association recommends the inclusion of omega-3 rich foods and oils in daily diets to prevent heart disease. With time, plant sources of omega-3 EFAs, such as chia seed, are gaining popularity due to their easy corporation in convenience and functional foods and their neutral taste. Chia seeds are labeled as 'superfoods' in the United States, and hence, most of the merchants cite vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant contents on the packages to attract customers. Due to the presence of high protein, omega-3 fatty acid, and fiber contents, the past few years have seen an increase in the consumption of chia seeds in the region.
In the United States, the seeds are being increasingly integrated into the trends of health and food sectors, such as snacks, energy drinks, or aggregates with cereal. Chia seed merchants are actively creating educational marketing programs that include in-store demonstrations around the country, investing heavily in point-of-sale displays and supplying the customers with a certificate of analysis on every single batch of chia, to increase their market shares. All these factors are expected to contribute to the growth of the market.
