Cookies Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Cookies Market is Segmented Into Product Type (Bar Cookies, Molded/Drop Cookies, and More), Category (Conventional and Free-From), Distribution Channels (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, and More), Packaging Type (Pouches, Sachets, Cartons, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Cookies Market Size and Share

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Cookies Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The cookies market stands at USD 16.38 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 20.65 billion by 2030, expanding at a 4.74% CAGR over the forecast period. Growth rests on steady snacking demand, a pivot to premium lines, and health-focused reformulations that keep indulgence relevant while aligning with new labeling rules fda.gov. Conventional formats still dominate sales, yet portion-controlled, fortified, and plant-based varieties capture incremental value that lifts the overall cookies market despite raw-material inflation. Digital commerce, especially brand-run subscription programs, deepens consumer reach and offsets shelf-space limits in modern retail. Meanwhile, strategic mergers signal the need for scale to absorb higher compliance costs and volatile ingredient pricing.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By product type, butter/shortbread and plain lines led with 33.85% market share in 2024, while bar cookies are forecast to grow at 6.05% CAGR to 2030.
  • By category, the conventional segment held 92.11% of 2024 shares; the free-from segment is predicted to expand at 6.77% CAGR through 2030.
  • By distribution channel, hypermarkets and supermarkets captured 39.55% share in 2024, whereas online retail is expected to post a 6.68% CAGR.
  • By packaging format, pouches and sachets accounted for 63.43% of the 2024 share, and cartons are anticipated to register a 5.88% CAGR.
  • By geography, Europe contributed 30.12% of the 2024 market share, while South America is projected to achieve a 6.89% CAGR over the forecast horizon.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Butter/Shortbread and Plain Cookies Dominates the Market

Butter/shortbread and plain cookies maintain market leadership with 33.85% share in 2024, reflecting consumer preference for familiar flavors and textures that deliver consistent satisfaction across diverse demographic segments. However, bar cookies emerge as the fastest-growing segment at 6.05% CAGR through 2030, driven by portion-control trends and nutritional transparency that aligns with health-conscious consumption patterns. This growth trajectory suggests fundamental shifts in consumer expectations, where convenience and nutritional awareness increasingly influence purchasing decisions over traditional taste preferences alone.

The molded/drop cookies segment benefits from manufacturing efficiency and flavor versatility, enabling cost-effective production of diverse varieties that appeal to different taste preferences and dietary requirements. Sandwiches and cream-filled cookies maintain steady performance through premium positioning and indulgent positioning that appeals to treat-seeking consumers, while wafer and rolled cookies capture niche markets through unique textures and premium ingredients. The market players have been innovating new types of cookies in the market. For instance, in March 2025, NuStef Baking launched TeaFusions™ Waffle Cookies in four flavors: Chai Apple, Black Tea and Currant, Earl Grey and Passion Fruit, and White Tea and Peach.

Cookies Market: Market Share by Product Type
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Category: Free-From Segment Accelerates Despite Conventional Dominance

The conventional cookie category commands overwhelming market dominance at 92.11% share in 2024, reflecting mainstream consumer preferences and established manufacturing infrastructure that supports cost-effective production and distribution. Despite this dominance, the free-from segment accelerates at 6.77% CAGR through 2030, indicating substantial growth opportunities for manufacturers willing to invest in specialized formulations and supply chain capabilities. This growth disparity suggests market bifurcation, where conventional products serve mass-market needs while free-from varieties capture premium segments with specific dietary requirements or lifestyle preferences.

Free-from product development requires sophisticated ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes to achieve acceptable taste, texture, and shelf life characteristics without traditional binding agents, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. The segment benefits from increasing awareness of food allergies, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle choices such as veganism that drive demand for specialized products. Success in free-from categories demands premium pricing strategies to offset higher ingredient and processing costs, while building consumer education and trust around product quality and nutritional benefits. The EU's regulation on contaminant levels in food, including cookies, emphasizes strict standards to protect vulnerable populations, creating additional compliance requirements that benefit established manufacturers with robust quality control systems

By Distribution Channel: E-commerce Disrupts Traditional Retail Patterns

Hypermarkets and supermarkets retain distribution leadership with a 39.55% share in 2024, leveraging extensive geographic coverage, promotional capabilities, and consumer shopping habits that favor one-stop shopping experiences for household staples, including cookies. However, online retail emerges as the fastest-growing channel at 6.68% CAGR through 2030, reflecting accelerated e-commerce adoption and direct-to-consumer strategies that enable brands to capture higher margins while building direct customer relationships. This channel evolution creates opportunities for both established brands seeking margin enhancement and emerging brands lacking traditional retail access.

Convenience stores maintain steady performance through impulse purchasing and location advantages near transportation hubs, offices, and residential areas where consumers seek immediate satisfaction and portion-controlled options. Specialist retailers serve niche markets through curated product selections and expert knowledge that appeal to premium and artisanal cookie segments, while other distribution channels encompass foodservice, vending, and institutional sales that provide volume opportunities with different margin structures. The shift toward online retail requires sophisticated fulfillment capabilities, packaging innovations for shipping protection, and digital marketing expertise that traditional manufacturers must develop or acquire through partnerships.

Cookies Market: Market Share by Distribution Channels
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Packaging Type: Sustainability Drives Format Innovation

Pouches and sachets dominate packaging preferences with a 63.43% share in 2024, reflecting consumer demand for convenience, portion control, and product freshness that these formats deliver effectively across diverse consumption occasions. The format particularly benefits from manufacturing efficiency and supply chain optimization that enables cost-effective production and distribution while maintaining product quality during extended shelf life periods. However, cartons experience the fastest growth at 5.88% CAGR through 2030, driven by sustainability concerns, gifting applications, and premium positioning that justify higher packaging costs through enhanced consumer experience.

The packaging evolution reflects broader consumer trends toward environmental responsibility and premium experiences that extend beyond product quality to encompass entire brand interactions. Carton packaging enables sophisticated graphics, product protection, and unboxing experiences that support premium pricing and brand differentiation in competitive markets. The "others" packaging category encompasses innovative formats such as resealable containers, eco-friendly materials, and specialty gift packaging that serve niche markets with specific functional or aesthetic requirements. Success in packaging innovation requires balancing cost considerations with consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals that increasingly influence purchasing decisions across demographic segments. General Mills' commitment to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030 demonstrates how sustainability initiatives drive packaging innovation while addressing consumer environmental concerns 

Geography Analysis

Europe maintains market leadership with a 30.12% share in 2024, supported by established cookie consumption traditions, premium product positioning, and regulatory frameworks that emphasize quality over volume growth. The region benefits from diverse national preferences that create opportunities for both local specialties and international brands, while sophisticated retail infrastructure and high disposable incomes support premium pricing strategies. European manufacturers leverage heritage positioning and artisanal craftsmanship to differentiate products in competitive markets, while regulatory compliance capabilities provide advantages in export markets with similar quality standards. The region's mature market characteristics drive innovation toward health-conscious formulations and sustainable packaging that align with consumer environmental awareness and dietary preferences.

South America emerges as the primary growth engine at 6.89% CAGR through 2030, propelled by the rising consumer inclination towards healthy snacking. Consumers are seeking flavorful cookies. Additionally, the market players are expanding their market reach through various strategies like expansions, acquisitions, and others. For instance, in August 2023, Nestle invested USD 550.8 million in its cookies and confectionery manufacturing in Brazil. In Asia-Pacific, China and India represent particularly significant opportunities, with expanding middle-class populations and increasing exposure to international food brands through travel and digital media. 

North America faces mature market dynamics with moderate growth expectations, as established consumption patterns and market saturation limit expansion opportunities compared to emerging regions. The market emphasizes innovation through health-conscious formulations, premium positioning, and direct-to-consumer channels that enable margin enhancement despite volume constraints. The Middle East and Africa are also showing mature growth in these regions, with regional and global players dominating the market. The market players are launching new products in the market to cater to the rising demand. For Instance, in June 2025, Ben's Cookies launched its mini versions in the United Arab Emirates. The products are available on Talabat.

Cookies Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region
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Competitive Landscape

The cookies market exhibits moderate concentration, characterized by a mix of global conglomerates and strong regional players competing across price tiers and product categories. Strategic patterns reveal an increasing focus on premium positioning and health-oriented innovations, with major players like Mondelēz, Nestlé, and Ferrero expanding their portfolios through both organic development and strategic partnerships. 

For instance, in June 2024, Mondelez formed a partnership with Lotus Bakeries to expand the Lotus Biscoff cookie brand in India and develop new chocolate products. The partnership enables Mondelēz to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell Biscoff cookies in India through its established distribution network and local market presence. This partnership approach represents an emerging strategy for accessing innovation and specialized capabilities without full acquisition costs.

White-space opportunities exist in the convergence of indulgence and health, particularly products that deliver premium taste experiences with improved nutritional profiles or functional benefits. Emerging disruptors are gaining traction through direct-to-consumer models that bypass traditional retail gatekeepers, allowing for higher margins and direct customer relationships that inform rapid product innovation. 

Technology is increasingly deployed as a competitive advantage, with leading manufacturers investing in digital marketing, e-commerce capabilities, and data analytics to understand and respond to shifting consumer preferences. The competitive intensity is heightened by the entry of private equity firms into the sector, which are investing in niche brands and enhancing their distribution and market reach, creating additional pressure on established players to innovate and differentiate.

Cookies Industry Leaders

  1. Mondelēz International, Inc.

  2. Ferrero International S.A.

  3. Britannia Industries Ltd.

  4. Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V.

  5. General Mills Inc.

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Cookies Market
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Recent Industry Developments

  • May 2025: 3 Pm LLC launched Afternoon Bites, a range of plant-based cookies formulated with protein, Immuse LC-Plasmapostbiotic, and fiber. The cookies feature low added sugar, fat, and sodium. The cookies are available in cranberry/flaxseed and dark chocolate/almond varieties.
  • May 2025: Mondelēz International has introduced limited-edition Selena Gomez Oreo Cookies. The product features chocolate cinnamon-flavored wafers with a dual-layer filling: chocolate and cinnamon-flavored creme combined with sweetened condensed milk-flavored creme containing cinnamon sugar.
  • March 2025: Cookie dough manufacturer Douglicious introduced a vegan and gluten-free Soft Baked Gourmet Cookie range. The product line includes Double Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chip, and Banana Good Granola flavors. The cookies are distributed through Hunt's Food Group and Amazon to independent convenience retailers.
  • October 2024: Zydus Wellness' Sugar Free, a sweetener brand, expanded into the packaged foods segment by introducing Sugar Free D'lite cookies. The brand aims to provide consumers with alternatives that contain no added sugar while satisfying their sweet cravings.

Table of Contents for Cookies Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Rising Demand for Portion-Controlled Indulgence Snacks
    • 4.2.2 Accelerated Urban On-the-Go Breakfast Culture in Metropolitan Hubs
    • 4.2.3 Fortification and Nutrient Enhancement Drive Cookies Market Growth
    • 4.2.4 Plant-Based Fat Reformulation driving growth
    • 4.2.5 Direct-to-Consumer Subscription Surge for Gourmet Cookies
    • 4.2.6 Gifting and Premiumization as Emotional Positioning
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Raw Material Price Volatility Affecting Cookie Margins
    • 4.3.2 Stricter HFSS (High-Fat-Sugar-Salt) Labeling Hindering Growth
    • 4.3.3 Stringent Food Safety Regulations
    • 4.3.4 Competition from Alternative Snacks
  • 4.4 Value / Supply-Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory and Technological Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter’s Five Forces
    • 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS

  • 5.1 By Product Type
    • 5.1.1 Bar Cookies
    • 5.1.2 Molded/Drop Cookies
    • 5.1.3 Sandwich and Cream-Filled Cookies
    • 5.1.4 Wafer and Rolled Cookies
    • 5.1.5 Butter/Shortbread and Plain
    • 5.1.6 Others (Macarons, Meringue, etc.)
  • 5.2 By Category
    • 5.2.1 Conventional
    • 5.2.2 Free-From
  • 5.3 By Distribution Channel
    • 5.3.1 Hypermarkets / Supermarkets
    • 5.3.2 Convenience Stores
    • 5.3.3 Specialist Retailers
    • 5.3.4 Online Retailers
    • 5.3.5 Other Distribution Channels
  • 5.4 By Packaging Type
    • 5.4.1 Pouches, Sachets
    • 5.4.2 Cartons
    • 5.4.3 Others
  • 5.5 By Geography
    • 5.5.1 North America
    • 5.5.1.1 United States
    • 5.5.1.2 Canada
    • 5.5.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.5.1.4 Rest of North America
    • 5.5.2 Europe
    • 5.5.2.1 Germany
    • 5.5.2.2 France
    • 5.5.2.3 United Kingdom
    • 5.5.2.4 Netherlands
    • 5.5.2.5 Italy
    • 5.5.2.6 Sweden
    • 5.5.2.7 Poland
    • 5.5.2.8 Belgium
    • 5.5.2.9 Spain
    • 5.5.2.10 Rest of Europe
    • 5.5.3 Asia Pacific
    • 5.5.3.1 China
    • 5.5.3.2 India
    • 5.5.3.3 Japan
    • 5.5.3.4 Australia
    • 5.5.3.5 South Korea
    • 5.5.3.6 Indonesia
    • 5.5.3.7 Thailand
    • 5.5.3.8 Singapore
    • 5.5.3.9 Rest of Asia Pacific
    • 5.5.4 South America
    • 5.5.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.5.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.5.4.3 Chile
    • 5.5.4.4 Colombia
    • 5.5.4.5 Peru
    • 5.5.4.6 Rest of South America
    • 5.5.5 Middle East and Africa
    • 5.5.5.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.5.5.2 South africa
    • 5.5.5.3 Nigeria
    • 5.5.5.4 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.5.5.5 Egypt
    • 5.5.5.6 Morocco
    • 5.5.5.7 Turkey
    • 5.5.5.8 Rest of Middle East and Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Mondelēz International Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Ferrero International S.A.
    • 6.4.3 Campbell Soup Co.
    • 6.4.4 General Mills Inc.
    • 6.4.5 PepsiCo Inc.
    • 6.4.6 Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V.
    • 6.4.7 Britannia Industries Ltd.
    • 6.4.8 Parle Products Pvt. Ltd.
    • 6.4.9 Nestlé S.A.
    • 6.4.10 Anmol Industries Limited
    • 6.4.11 Lotus Bakeries NV
    • 6.4.12 The Kelloggs Company
    • 6.4.13 Bahlsen GmbH and Co. KG
    • 6.4.14 Lotte Confectionery Co. Ltd.
    • 6.4.15 Unibic Foods India Pvt Ltd
    • 6.4.16 Sarjena Food Pvt.Ltd
    • 6.4.17 Orkla ASA
    • 6.4.18 J and J Snack Foods Corp.
    • 6.4.19 Gullón S.A.
    • 6.4.20 Barilla Holding S.p.A.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

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Global Cookies Market Report Scope

A cookie is defined as a sweet biscuit having a fairly soft, chewy texture and typically containing pieces of chocolate or fruit.

The cookies market is segmented by product type into bar cookies, molded/drop cookies, sandwich & cream-filled cookies, wafer & rolled cookies, butter/shortbread & plain, and others (macarons, meringue, etc.). By category, the market is segmented into conventional and free-from. By distribution channels, the market is segmented into hypermarkets /supermarkets, convenience stores, specialist retailers, online retailers, and other distribution channels. By packaging type, the market is segmented into pouches, sachets, cartons, and others. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. 

The market sizing has been done in value terms in USD for all the abovementioned segments.

By Product Type Bar Cookies
Molded/Drop Cookies
Sandwich and Cream-Filled Cookies
Wafer and Rolled Cookies
Butter/Shortbread and Plain
Others (Macarons, Meringue, etc.)
By Category Conventional
Free-From
By Distribution Channel Hypermarkets / Supermarkets
Convenience Stores
Specialist Retailers
Online Retailers
Other Distribution Channels
By Packaging Type Pouches, Sachets
Cartons
Others
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Rest of North America
Europe Germany
France
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Italy
Sweden
Poland
Belgium
Spain
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea
Indonesia
Thailand
Singapore
Rest of Asia Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa United Arab Emirates
South africa
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Morocco
Turkey
Rest of Middle East and Africa
By Product Type
Bar Cookies
Molded/Drop Cookies
Sandwich and Cream-Filled Cookies
Wafer and Rolled Cookies
Butter/Shortbread and Plain
Others (Macarons, Meringue, etc.)
By Category
Conventional
Free-From
By Distribution Channel
Hypermarkets / Supermarkets
Convenience Stores
Specialist Retailers
Online Retailers
Other Distribution Channels
By Packaging Type
Pouches, Sachets
Cartons
Others
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Rest of North America
Europe Germany
France
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Italy
Sweden
Poland
Belgium
Spain
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea
Indonesia
Thailand
Singapore
Rest of Asia Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa United Arab Emirates
South africa
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Morocco
Turkey
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current value of the cookies market?

The cookies market stands at USD 46.02 billion in 2025.

How fast is the cookies market expected to grow?

It is forecast to expand at a 4.11% CAGR, reaching USD 56.3 billion by 2030.

Which product type has the highest cookies market share today?

Butter/shortbread and plain cookies lead with 33.85% share in 2024.

Which region offers the strongest growth prospects?

South America shows the highest regional CAGR at 6.89% through 2030.

Page last updated on: July 8, 2025

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