Consumption Profile – United States

Note: This report includes forecasting data that is based on baseline historical data.

Executive summary

The United States (US) population stood at 331.4 million in 2020. It increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.5% during the 2015-2020 period and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.4% from 2021-2025.

The ten most populated cities in the United States accounted for 7.9% of the country's total population in 2020. All these major cities have grown and will continue to grow at a faster rate than the total population.

Due to the current global economic slowdown, the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing unemployment and rising protectionism (Euromonitor International, May 2021), the number of unemployed heads of households in the US increased to 4.3 million in 2020 from 2.4 million in 2016, a CAGR of 15.2%. The number of unemployed heads of households is expected to decrease to 2.1 million in 2025.

The median disposable income per household in the United States increased from US$77,479.6 in 2016 to US$84,159.80 in 2020, and is projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2025.

Per capita expenditures (PCE) on food and beverages increased at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2016 to 2020, reaching US$3,426.90 in 2020. This spending is expected to increase to US$4,019.70 in 2025, with a forecast CAGR of 3.2% for the five-year period starting in 2021.

The Health and Wellness (H&W) sector continues to gain traction worldwide and the US is no exception. According to Euromonitor International, Americans are generally not well known for their healthy eating habits, but concern over the virus is leading to greater awareness of the health benefits of food. Like their global counterparts, 55% of US consumers said they look for healthy ingredients in food and beverages, while 36% said they actively monitor what they eat in order to manage their weight. Demand for foods with perceived health benefits is here for the long term (Euromonitor International, August 2020).

 

Key demographic indicators

As a global leading economy with an increasing population, the United States (US) will continue to be a major consumer market. Nonetheless, the existing inequality will continue to worsen, and the detrimental economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may slow the pace of recovery.

The US population increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.5% from 2015 to 2020, when it reached a total of 331.4 million people; it is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.4% during the 2021-2025 period. In 2020, over three-quarters of the population (82.5%) lived in urban areas throughout the country, while 17.5% lived in rural areas. The US population is expected to grow by approximately six million people, to a total of 33.7 million, between 2020 and 2025.

United States population - urban and rural - historical/forecast (million), 2016-2025
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Total population 324.3 331.4 0.5 332.4 337.3 0.4
Urban population 265.3 273.4 0.8 274.7 281.2 0.6
Urban population as % of total 81.8 82.5 0.2 82.6 83.3 0.2
Rural population 59.1 58.1 −0.4 57.7 56.2 −0.6
Rural population as % of total 18.2 17.5 −1.0 17.4 16.7 −1.0

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

The ten most populated US cities accounted for 7.9% of the total US population in 2020. All these major cities have grown and will continue to grow at a faster rate than the total population. Among the ten most populous cities, Phoenix recorded the fastest population growth rate from 2016 to 2020, as many people moved there because of its dynamic economy (Euromonitor International, 2020). New York will remain the most populous city at more than double the size of the second-largest city, Los Angeles.

United States population - 10 most populous cities - historical/forecast ('000), 2016-2025
City 2016 2020 CAGR* %2016-2020 2021 2025 *CAGR % 2021-2025
New York 8,303.3 8,346.4 0.1 8,352.9 8,435.2 0.2
Los Angeles 3,924.6 3,993.3 0.4 4,004.5 4,065.7 0.4
Chicago 2,672.1 2,700.8 0.3 2,707.0 2,748.6 0.4
Houston 2,248.0 2,338.5 1.0 2,354.3 2,417.8 0.7
Phoenix 1,584.7 1,707.2 1.9 1,731.5 1,821.2 1.3
Philadelphia 1,560.8 1,590.8 0.5 1,596.8 1,629.0 0.5
San Antonio 1,475.4 1,566.3 1.5 1,583.4 1,647.6 1.0
San Diego 1,384.3 1,434.4 0.9 1,443.8 1,483.7 0.7
Dallas 1,285.2 1,358.9 1.4 1,372.8 1,425.3 0.9
San Jose 999.2 1,027.7 0.7 1,032.9 1,056.3 0.6
Total for the 10 most populous US cities 25,437.6 26,064.3 0.6 26,179.9 26,730.4 0.5

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

In 2020, the gender ratio in the US was close to evenly split with 163.2 million males and 168.2 million females. There were 60.7 million residents under the age of 15; 214.8 million residents aged 15 to 64; and 56.0 million residents aged 65 and older. The median age of US residents was 38.6 in 2020, and is forecast to increase to 39.7 by 2025.

The percentage of the population in age groups 0-14 and 15-64 remained relatively stable between 2016 and 2020. And the percentage of people over 65 has continued to increase. It is estimated that the proportion of US residents aged 65 and older will increase by a CAGR of 2.9% between 2011 and 2025, to a total of 64.6 million. In comparison, the proportion of the population in the 0-14 age group will decrease by 1.0% from 2021 to 2025. There should be little change in the proportion of people aged 15 to 64.

United States population by age group ('000) - historical/forecast, 2016-2025
2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 *CAGR % 2021-2025
Population aged 0-14 61,262.6 60,653.0 −0.2 60,064.5 57,811.9 −1.0
Population aged 15-64 213,683.5 214,804.9 0.1 214,713.7 214,976.9 0.0
Population aged 65+ 49,403.0 55,991.3 3.2 57,607.2 64,560.7 2.9
Male population 159,714.7 163,224.0 0.5 163,712.1 166,241.8 0.4
Female population 164,634.5 168,225.3 0.5 168,673.3 171,107.6 0.4
Median age of population 37.9 38.6 0.5 38.8 39.7 0.6
Total population 324,349.2 331,449.3 0.5 332,385.4 337,349.4 0.4

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

The fertility rate in the US declined to 1.6 children born per female in 2020 from 1.8 in 2016, and is expected to increase slowly until 2025. The birth rate is projected to decrease at a CAGR of 0.5% between 2021 and 2025.

The average life expectancy in 2020 was 76.1 years for males and 81.2 years for females. By 2025, the life expectancy for males and females living in the US will be an estimated 76.7 years and 81.6 years, respectively. In 2025, the death rate is projected to be 9.3 deaths per thousand people.

United States population - birth, fertility and death rates - historical/forecast, 2016-2025
  2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 *CAGR % 2021-2025
Birth rate per '000 12.2 10.9 −2.8 10.6 10.4 −0.5
Fertility rate ( children born per female) 1.8 1.6 −2.9 1.6 1.7 1.5
Death rate per '000 8.5 10.2 4.7 9.7 9.3 −1.0
Life expectancy at birth: males 76.1 76.1 0.0 76.2 76.7 0.2
Life expectancy at birth: females 81.1 81.2 0.0 81.2 81.6 0.1

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Among the 331.4 million US inhabitants, there were 128.5 million households in 2020, and an average household size of 2.6 people. There were 59.0% more childless couples (36.5 million) than couples with children (22.9 million). Between 2021 and 2025, the number of couples with children is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.1%, while the number of childless couples is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.5%, to 37.3 million.

Due to the current global economic slowdown, the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing unemployment and rising protectionism (Euromonitor International, May 2021), the number of unemployed heads of households in the US increased to 4.3 million in 2020 from 2.4 million in 2016, a CAGR of 15.2%. The number of unemployed heads of households is expected to decrease to 2.1 million in 2025.

Number of people per household in the US - historical/forecast (million), 2016-2025
  2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 *CAGR % 2016-2020
Number of households 125,819.0 128,450.0 0.5 128,897.1 131,024.3 0.4
Average household size 2.6 2.6 0.0 2.6 2.6 0.0
Economic status of head of household (unemployed) per '000 2,449.7 4,311.3 15.2 3,556.0 2,166.8 −11.6
Childless couples per '000 35,634.4 36,462.1 0.6 36,611.7 37,311.2 0.5
Couples with children per '000 23,147.1 22,925.2 −0.2 22,894.1 22,948.5 0.1

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Key economic indicators

According to Euromonitor International, the USA is expected to remain the world's biggest consumer market through to 2040. However, private consumption should slow down, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising global uncertainty (Euromonitor International, October 2020).

The US gross domestic product (GPD) was US$20.9 trillion in 2020, having increased at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2016. The US GDP is expected to reach US$27.9 trillion by 2025.

US consumer expenditure totalled US$13.6 trillion in 2020, having increased at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2016. US consumer spending is expected to rise to US$18.5 trillion by 2025, a CAGR of 4.9% from the 2021 level.

US disposable income increased to US$15.9 trillion in 2020 from the 2016 level, a CAGR of 3%.The disposable income is projected to increase at a CAGR of 5.0% between 2021 and 2025.

The median disposable income per household amounted to US$84,159.8 in 2020, up from US$77,479.6 in 2016; it is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2025.

Middle class households represented 21.8% of total households in 2020, a decline from 2016 (CAGR of −0.3%). The percentage of middle class households is expected to decline slightly to 21.7% in 2025.

United States economic figures - historical/forecast 2016-2025
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* %2021-2025
GDP (US$ billion) 18,745.1 20,936.6 2.8 23,062.0 27,867.9 4.8
Consumer expenditures (US$ billion) 12,414.9 13,649.8 2.4 15,251.1 18,480.0 4.9
Disposable income (US$ billion) 14,140.0 15,918.7 3.0 17,651.6 21,417.4 5.0
Median disposable income per household (US$) 77,479.6 84,159.8 2.1 92,773.4 110,316.0 4.4
Middle class households (% of total) 22.1 21.8 −0.3 21.8 21.7 −0.1
Middle class households ('000) 27,770.0 28,002.6 0.2 28,081.9 28,471.7 0.3

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Food and beverage expenditures

Per capita expenditures (PCE) on food and beverages in the US increased to US$3,426.9 in 2020, a CAGR of 4.3% over the period from 2016 to 2020. This spending is expected to increase to US$4,019.7 in 2025, a CAGR of 3.2% over the five-year period starting in 2021.

Spending on food in the US has been increasing over the past several years, reaching US$2,595.6 per capita in 2020, up from US$2,214.5 in 2016. The projected CAGR for per capita food expenditures is 3.2% for the 2021 to 2025 period, and per capita spending on food is expected to increase to US$3,054.3 by 2025.

PCE on alcoholic drinks in the US amounted to US$505.1 in 2020; this spending is expected to reach $US574.1 by 2025, increasing at a CAGR of 2.9% over the 2021 to 2025 period. Total per capita expenditures on non-alcoholic drinks stood at US$326.2 in 2020.

United States per capita expenditure - food and beverages - historical/forecast US$, 2016-2025
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* %2021-2025
Food 2,214.5 2,595.6 4.0 2,692.4 3,054.3 3.2
Bread and cereals 421.6 489.9 3.8 506.9 573.4 3.1
Meat 503.3 589.4 4.0 610.2 691.1 3.2
Fish and seafood 43.1 52.0 4.8 53.9 61.0 3.1
Milk, cheese and eggs 256.0 297.6 3.8 308.4 349.9 3.2
Oils and fats 67.7 78.5 3.8 81.4 92.4 3.2
Fruit 153.5 184.7 4.7 191.5 218.2 3.3
Vegetables 186.6 224.5 4.7 231.4 261.8 3.1
Sugar and confectionery 135.3 156.1 3.6 165.5 189.1 3.4
Other food 447.4 522.9 4.0 543.4 617.6 3.3
Non-alcoholic beverages 278.8 326.2 4.0 341.7 391.3 3.4
Coffee, tea and cocoa 47.3 55.0 3.8 57.0 64.1 3.0
Mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices 231.5 271.2 4.0 284.7 327.2 3.5
Alcoholic drinks 404.4 505.1 5.7 513.0 574.1 2.9
Total 2,897.7 3,426.9 4.3 3,547.1 4,019.7 3.2

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Health and wellness

The Health and Wellness (H&W) sector continues to gain traction worldwide and the US is no exception.

According to Euromonitor International, Americans are generally not well known for their healthy eating habits, but concern about the virus is leading to greater awareness of the health benefits of food. Like their global counterparts, 55% of US consumers said they look for healthy ingredients in food and beverages, while 36% said they actively monitor what they eat in order to manage their weight. Demand for foods with perceived health benefits is here for the longer term (Euromonitor International, August 2020).

The subsectors of H&W for this particular analysis include better for you (BFY), functional and fortified (F&F), free from, naturally healthy and organic.

The H&W sector in the US recorded retail sales of US$167.0 billion in 2016 and US$191.7 billion in 2020, a CAGR of 3.5% during that period. Retail sales of H&W products are projected to reach US$216.3 billion in 2025, increasing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2021 to 2025.

United States health and wellness market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ billion
Categories 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Total health and wellness 167.0 191.7 3.5 191.7 216.3 3.1
Fortified and functional (F&F) 60.0 67.9 3.2 69.0 78.0 3.1
Naturally healthy (NH) 40.2 45.9 3.4 46.0 51.6 2.9
Better for you (BFY) 40.9 40.9 0.0 40.3 41.4 0.7
Organic 16.4 22.7 8.5 22.5 27.1 4.8
Free from 9.5 14.3 10.7 14.1 18.2 6.7

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Fortified and functional market

In the US, the fortified and functional (F&F) market was the top performing H&W subsector in 2020 with total sales of US$67.9 billion, up from US$60.0 billion in 2016. Sales of fortified and functional products are expected to continue growing, with a projected CAGR of 3.1% for the five-year period beginning in 2021. They are forecast to reach US$78.0 billion by the end of 2025.

United States fortified and functional market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ million
Categories 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Fortified and functional (F&F) 59,981.6 67,944.5 3.2 68,976.7 77,976.3 3.1
Fortified and functional beverages 27,690.6 33,696.6 5.0 35,895.6 43,858.3 5.1
Fortified and functional hot drinks 556.4 744.1 7.5 794.7 1,024.5 6.6
Fortified and functional tea 504.3 695.7 8.4 746.5 976.3 6.9
Fortified and functional other hot drinks 52.0 48.4 −1.8 48.1 48.2 0.1
Fortified and functional soft drinks 27,134.3 32,952.5 5.0 35,100.9 42,833.8 5.1
Fortified and functional bottled water 2,395.6 3,406.9 9.2 3,600.9 4,250.3 4.2
Fortified and functional carbonates 867.8 1,382.3 12.3 1,510.6 1,917.6 6.1
Fortified and functional concentrates 258.4 312.7 4.9 334.6 451.8 7.8
Fortified and functional energy drinks 11,483.0 14,150.4 5.4 15,179.2 19,817.0 6.9
Fortified and functional fruit/vegetable juice 3,036.5 3,032.7 0.0 3,151.6 3,532.0 2.9
Fortified and functional ready-to-drink Tea 81.6 87.7 1.8 90.8 103.3 3.3
Fortified and functional sports drinks 7,799.0 9,298.6 4.5 9,878.6 11,055.0 2.9
Fortified and functional packaged food 32,291.0 34,247.9 1.5 33,081.1 34,118.0 0.8
Fortified and functional baby food 2,815.2 3,014.8 1.7 2,792.2 2,708.7 −0.8
Fortified and functional breakfast cereals 6,471.9 7,179.9 2.6 6,736.4 6,808.9 0.3
Fortified and functional bread 742.3 852.9 3.5 862.8 910.4 1.4
Fortified and functional confectionery 1,026.6 1,224.7 4.5 1,254.1 1,372.8 2.3
Fortified and functional dairy 17,324.4 16,732.3 −0.9 15,300.8 14,040.3 −2.1
Fortified and functional pasta 126.5 153.3 4.9 130.6 124.7 −1.1
Fortified and functional sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit Snacks 3,745.9 5,039.0 7.7 5,955.3 8,097.5 8.0
Fortified and functional vegetable and seed oil 38.3 51.0 7.4 48.9 54.8 2.9

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Naturally healthy market

The naturally healthy (NH) subcategory within the H&W market was the runner-up to NH, with retail sales of US$45.9 billion in 2020; this subcategory is expected to increase to US$51.6 billion in 2025, a CAGR of 2.9% over the five-year period beginning in 2021. The highest performing products in 2020 were bottled water, high fibre food and nuts, and seeds and trail mixes; they generated US$27.7 billion in sales and accounted for 60.3% of retail sales within the naturally healthy subcategory.

United States food minus market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ million
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Naturally healthy (NH) 40,233.6 45,929.0 3.4 45,970.1 51,569.2 2.9
Naturally healthy beverages 18,598.5 20,285.6 2.2 21,011.7 23,640.3 3.0
Naturally healthy hot drinks 882.3 999.7 3.2 1,019.9 1,200.2 4.2
Naturally healthy tea 783.4 906.0 3.7 928.9 1,119.2 4.8
Naturally healthy other hot drinks 99.0 93.8 −1.3 91.0 81.0 −2.9
Naturally healthy soft drinks 17,716.2 19,285.8 2.1 19,991.8 22,440.1 2.9
Naturally healthy bottled water 9,931.4 11,257.4 3.2 11,579.1 13,254.5 3.4
Naturally healthy fruit/vegetable juice 7,696.8 7,869.5 0.6 8,232.3 8,927.1 2.0
Naturally healthy RTD tea 88.0 158.9 15.9 180.4 258.6 9.4
Naturally healthy packaged food 21,635.0 25,643.4 4.3 24,958.5 27,929.0 2.9
Naturally healthy cereal bars 2,494.6 2,475.0 −0.2 2,453.9 2,494.5 0.4
Naturally healthy dairy 283.9 272.4 −1.0 253.1 255.7 0.3
Naturally healthy fruit snacks 2,106.9 2,511.1 4.5 2,464.2 2,773.0 3.0
Naturally healthy fruit and nut bars 842.6 966.2 3.5 1,117.0 1,333.9 4.5
Naturally healthy high fibre food 7,234.6 8,908.1 5.3 8,664.8 9,845.7 3.2
Naturally healthy honey 612.1 768.1 5.8 722.7 892.3 5.4
Naturally healthy olive oil 1,117.9 1,469.6 7.1 1,239.2 1,493.7 4.8
Naturally healthy rice 557.7 753.5 7.8 660.1 687.2 1.0
Naturally healthy nuts, seeds and trail mixes 6,384.7 7,519.5 4.2 7,383.7 8,152.9 2.5

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Better for you market

Better for you (BFY) food and beverage retail sales experienced little growth between 2015 to 2020 and sales are expected to increase only slightly over the next five years. Better for you retail sales in the US are expected to reach a total of US$41.4 billion by 2025, an increase of US$1.1 billion over the projected figure of US$40.3 billion for 2021.The top two subcategories within the BFY market in 2020 were reduced sugar beverages and reduced fat packaged food, which posted combined total sales of US$30.5 billion.

United States free from market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ million
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Better for you (BFY) 40,861.9 40,866.0 0.0 40,274.3 41,393.6 0.7
Better for you beverages 11,655.4 11,974.6 0.7 12,312.5 13,365.3 2.1
Better for you reduced caffeine beverages 1,063.3 894.2 −4.2 870.8 813.0 −1.7
Better for you reduced fat beverages 13.5 13.1 −0.7 13.0 13.1 0.2
Better for you reduced sugar beverages 10,578.6 11,067.4 1.1 11,428.8 12,539.2 2.3
Better for you packaged food 29,206.6 28,891.4 −0.3 27,961.8 28,028.3 0.1
Better for you reduced fat packaged food 20,337.2 19,412.3 −1.2 18,073.6 16,979.4 −1.5
Better for you reduced salt food 4,157.6 4,843.1 3.9 4,693.2 5,077.6 2.0
Better for you reduced sugar packaged food 4,711.8 4,635.9 −0.4 5,194.9 5,971.3 3.5

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

The organic market

The market for organic food and drinks has been gaining traction globally over the past several decades, boosted by rising consumer concern about the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and chemically treated produce. Buyers are increasingly demanding transparency, as well as ethically produced and certified food, and the US is following these trends.

The organic retail sales market increased from US$16.4 billion in 2016 to US$22.7 billion in 2020, a CAGR of 8.5% over the five-year period. Retail sales of organic food in the US are expected to grow to US$27.1 billion from 2021 to 2025, a CAGR of 4.8%.

The largest subsector within the organic food and drinks market in 2020 was dairy, which was valued at US$5.0 billion. It great at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2015 to 2020. Organic dairy retail sales are expected to reach US$5.6 billion in 2025, increasing at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2021 and 2025.

Ready meals came in second place in the organic retail sales subcategory during the 2016 to 2020 period, with a CAGR of 12.9%, while bread ranked third with sales of US$2.4 billion in 2020.

United States organic market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ million
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2021-2025
Organic 16,399.8 22,717.0 8.5 22,467.6 27,092.2 4.8
Organic beverages 1,431.2 1,638.7 3.4 1,732.1 2,137.1 5.4
Organic hot drinks 489.8 572.8 4.0 606.8 773.8 6.3
Organic soft drinks 941.4 1,065.9 3.2 1,125.3 1,363.3 4.9
Organic packaged food 14,968.6 21,078.3 8.9 20,735.5 24,955.0 4.7
Organic baby food 832.7 1,128.7 7.9 1,157.6 1,369.6 4.3
Organic bread 1,421.2 2,420.9 14.2 2,290.8 2,712.1 4.3
Organic breakfast cereals 583.3 751.7 6.5 688.4 791.7 3.6
Organic confectionery 319.5 506.5 12.2 529.4 667.3 6.0
Organic dairy 4,068.3 4,997.0 5.3 4,894.1 5,624.6 3.5
Organic edible oil 344.6 605.7 15.1 606.1 773.7 6.3
Organic frozen meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables 1,003.5 1,218.1 5.0 1,325.3 1,788.0 7.8
Organic ice cream 97.4 153.5 12.0 165.5 228.8 8.4
Organic ready meals 2,416.6 3,924.4 12.9 3,728.4 4,364.8 4.0
Organic rice, pasta and noodles 155.3 234.8 10.9 206.8 222.5 1.8
Organic sauces, dressings and condiments 894.6 1,454.1 12.9 1,431.5 1,923.9 7.7
Organic savoury snacks 1,192.2 1,677.5 8.9 1,707.9 2,092.9 5.2
Organic shelf stable meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables 398.4 389.2 −0.6 402.8 521.2 6.7
Organic soup 466.5 601.3 6.6 580.3 639.1 2.4
Organic spreads 304.7 460.8 10.9 468.3 593.6 6.1
Organic sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks 469.7 554.2 4.2 552.4 641.2 3.8

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

Free from market

Free from food and beverage retail sales experienced significant growth between 2016 and 2020, and sales are expected to continue increasing over the next five years. Free from packaged food should see strong growth over the forecast period, given the increasing consumer interest in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives (Euromonitor, January 2021).

From 2016 to 2020, the free from market in the US grew at a CAGR of 10.7%, reaching US$14.3 billion in 2020. Free from retail sales in the US are expected to reach a total of US$18.2 billion by 2025, which represents an increase of US$4.1 billion over the US$14.1billion projected for 2021.

The top two subcategories within the free from market in 2020 were free from gluten and free from dairy, within combined retail sales of US$7.7 billion.

United States free from market - historical/forecast retail value - US$ million
Category 2016 2020 CAGR* % 2016-2020 2021 2025 CAGR* % 2016-2020
Free from 9,497.7 14,258.9 10.7 14,052.4 18,239.5 6.7
Free from allergens (HA milk formula) 1,203.4 1,563.6 6.8 1,540.9 1,818.4 4.2
Free from dairy 2,433.3 3,695.8 11.0 4,097.6 5,928.0 9.7
Free from dairy ice cream 211.6 449.9 20.8 532.8 897.8 13.9
Free from dairy milk 2,128.2 2,865.0 7.7 3,056.4 4,154.7 8.0
Free from dairy yoghurt 93.5 380.8 42.1 508.3 875.5 14.6
Free from gluten 2,753.8 4,049.0 10.1 3,829.6 4,817.5 5.9
Free from gluten baked goods 295.7 626.2 20.6 575.5 658.0 3.4
Free from gluten breakfast cereals 1,985.4 2,646.3 7.4 2,503.6 3,244.2 6.7
Free from gluten pasta 142.2 237.3 13.7 217.6 259.1 4.5
Free from gluten ready meals 193.2 293.8 11.0 272.7 288.3 1.4
Free from gluten sweet biscuits 137.3 245.5 15.6 260.4 367.8 9.0
Free from lactose 1,988.0 2,710.4 8.1 2,635.5 3,011.9 3.4
Free from lactose baby food 779.1 797.4 0.6 738.5 727.0 −0.4
Free from lactose dairy 1,209.0 1,913.0 12.2 1,897.1 2,284.9 4.8
Free from meat 1,119.2 2,240.2 18.9 1,948.7 2,663.8 8.1
Free from meat, meat substitutes 763.8 1,644.9 21.1 1,393.4 1,974.1 9.1
Free from meat ready meals 355.4 595.3 13.8 555.3 689.6 5.6

Source: Euromonitor International, 2021

*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

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Resources

  • Euromonitor International, August 2020, consumer overview in the US
  • Euromonitor International, October 2020, Income and Expenditure: The USA
  • Euromonitor International (2021)
  • Euromonitor International, January 2021, Health and Wellness in the US
  • Euromonitor International, May 2021, Households: The US
  • Euromonitor International, September 2020, The USA in 2040: the future of demographic

Consumption Profile – United States
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Zhiduo Wang

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (2022).

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