Meal Replacement Products Market Size, Share and Trends 2025 to 2034

Meal Replacement Products Market Size and Forecast 2025 to 2034

The global meal replacement products market size was estimated at USD 23.57 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 25.51 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 51.99 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.23% from 2025 to 2034. The growing demand for plant-based meal options, elevating financial health of manufacturers, improved market penetration strategies, and increased consumer awareness for preventing and treating lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases are the factors linked to the growth of the meal replacement products market.

Meal Replacement Products Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the global market with the highest share of 44% in 2024.
• Asia Pacific is estimated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 9.84% in the market between 2025 and 2034.
• By product, the powder segment held the largest market share of 63% in 2024.
• By product, the ready to drink segment is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 8.73% between 2025 and 2034.
• By distribution channel, the offline channel segment captured the largest market share in 2024.
• By distribution channel, the online channel segment is expected to expand at a notable CAGR over the projected period.

Integration of AI in Meal Replacement Products

Artificial Intelligence in meal replacement products can be utilized to develop user-friendly and personalized experiences for consumers. Impact of AI on meal replacement products such as for recommending personalized nutrition strategies by analyzing individual user’s health data with AI algorithms and optimization of ingredients for identification of best combinations of texture, taste, and nutritional balance through analysis of vast ingredient databases.

Furthermore, the utilization of AI-powered vision systems in quality control for monitoring production lines, enhancing product development by analyzing market trends and feedback of consumers as well as the implementation of AI-enabled virtual assistants or chatbots for virtual dietary coaching of meal replacement product consumers is driving the incorporation of AI in the market. Rising collaborations for advancing the development of meal replacement products with the use of AI are creating opportunities for market growth.

• For instance, in July 2024, Shiru, an AI-powered protein discovery company partnered with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition (AHN) North America Inc., for developing and commercializing sweet proteins for utilization in specialty products and beverages.

The alliance aims to combine the capacities of both entities for introducing natural, functional ingredients to the market by leveraging AHN’s deep expertise in fermentation and Shiru’s powerful AI-enabled discovery capabilities.

U.S. Meal Replacement Products Market Size and Growth 2025 to 2034

The U.S. meal replacement products market size was evaluated at USD 7.26 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 16.31 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.43% from 2025 to 2034.

North America Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

North America led the global meal replacement products market with the largest share in 2024. The market dominance of this region is driven by the growing consumer awareness towards health and wellness, increased influence of social media platforms for promoting the benefits of meal replacement products, surging demand due to fast-paced lifestyles, increased R&D activities for to cater broad spectrum of dietary preferences through product innovations and rising disposable incomes.

U.S. Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

U.S. is leading the meal replacement products market in North America. Increased R&D activities for product innovation, rising disposable incomes, growing use of online healthcare platforms for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and overcoming obesity, focus on developing strategies for better customer reach through retail networks, social media influence, adoption of e-commerce platforms and established transportation channels foster the market growth.

• The U.S. FDA’s initiatives such as the Human Foods Program for improving food safety and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) prohibit marketing of adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements.

Europe Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

Europe is considered to be a significantly growing area in the global meal replacement products market. The region’s growing shift towards plant-based and vegan food options among consumers, demand for balanced nutrition, increasing discretionary incomes, rising geriatric population, and surging focus on health and wellness are the factors expected to fuel the market growth of this region. Regional key players like Germany, Spain, the UK, Sweden, and Denmark are also remarkably contributing to the European meal replacement products market.

Germany is dominating the market in the Europe region owing to the growing demand for replacement meals with a major focus on products for weight management and loaded with ingredients such as plant proteins and fiber.

Asia Pacific Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

Asia Pacific region is expected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. The growth of this region can be attributed to the rapid urbanization of various areas in the region, the growing influence of social media platforms for maintain a healthy lifestyle, increasing number of fitness centres, surging use of e-commerce platforms, increasing disposable incomes and rising obesity rates. Furthermore, swiftly rising economies such as Japan, India and China are expected to boost the market growth in the upcoming years.

Japan & China Meal Replacement Products Market Trends

Japan is the major contributor to the Asia Pacific meal replacement product market. The robust retail infrastructure, increased adoption of functional foods by consumers and rising focus of maintaining a healthy lifestyle are fostering the market growth of this country.

Meal replacement products in China are available in various forms, including powders, ready-to-drink beverages, bars, and other types like cookies, soups, and smoothies. The meal replacement market in China is expanding, driven by health trends and evolving consumer habits. However, companies must navigate economic sensitivities, regulatory landscapes, and demographic considerations to effectively meet market demands.

Market Overview

Meal replacement products refer to products such as protein bars, shakes and powdered drinks acting as a substitute for solid foods replacing one or more meals in a day with controlled quantities of essential nutrients and calories. These products are easy to make and help in maintaining a healthy lifestyle for fitness-conscious and busy people looking for convenient meal options enriched with essential nutrients. 
Advancements in food processing technologies, rising investments for the development of innovative products, increased revenues of companies making them self-sufficient, growing number of gymnasiums and health and fitness centres, dynamic lifestyles and surging cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and obesity are the factors driving the expansion of the meal replacement products market. Furthermore, supportive government initiatives for enhancing food security and encouraging healthy food choices with nutrition education in public awareness campaigns, schools, online platforms and point-of-sale information is fostering the growth of consumer base.

Meal Replacement Products Market Growth Factors

• Expanding customer base: Companies are actively adopting and utilizing effective marketing strategies by identifying and targeting specific demographics, increasing focus on market diversification with different flavours and functional ingredients suitable to dietary needs, improving distribution channels and by leveraging online platforms to expand the consumer base in the competitive market. Furthermore, increased product availability and growing consumer trust are boosting incomes for manufacturers fostering innovation. 
• Development of personalized products: Increased consumer demand for personalized meal replacement options is making manufacturers to focus on diversifying their product ranges to cater the specific dietary needs of the diverse demographics. Implementation of features such as plant-based variations, allergen-free options, macronutrient customization and dietary restrictions for personalized meal replacement products is fuelling market growth.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising incidences of lifestyle disorders

Lifestyle disorders are significantly rising across the globe due to factors such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet and eating habits, sedentary and stressful lifestyles, excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco use and insufficient sleep leading chronic health disorders such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases. People are becoming aware of the importance of following healthy eating habits and weight management which is driving the need for meal replacement products packed with functional nutrition. Furthermore, the growing trend of health and wellness, increased consumer preference for vegan food, plant-based options and meat alternatives as well as the development of innovative products to cater the specific demands of the population is fuelling the market expansion.

Restraint

High product prices

The higher prices of meal replacement products often restrain the consumer from buying these products over the traditional meals which are cheaper. The high quality premium ingredients such as protein sources, fiber, minerals and vitamins added in precise ratios as well as the complexity of formulating and manufacturing for creating a nutritionally balanced meal replacement product while maintaining the right amount of macronutrient distribution and taste by implementing advanced processing techniques is a costly process. Moreover, the increased investments research and development of products with innovative flavours, textures and targeted dietary needs adds to the cost of the production leading to heightened product prices.

Opportunity

Increased emphasis on developing databases and plant-based meals

With the surging demand for plant-based meal options, busy lifestyles, increased popularity of health and fitness trends, environmental awareness and advancements in technologies is creating opportunities for meal replacement products market growth. Manufacturers are heavily investing in developing naturally derived and plant-based meal replacement food options for enhancing consumer convenience and providing functional nutrition more efficiently while adhering to the regulatory guideline to meet the organic certification standards.

Companies are focusing on developing databases of essential functional nutrients such as proteins, mineral among others by leveraging AI tools for quick identification of right nutrients leading to faster product development with less errors and increased efficiency.

• For instance, in May 2024, Shiru, The Protein Discovery Company, launched ProteinDicovery.ai which is the world’s first marketplace and protein discovery platforms allowing anyone for searching, discover, piloting and buy molecules for agriculture, food, personal care, and application to advanced materials.

More than 33 million molecules by sequence, functional use and successful expression are available in the searchable database catalog.

Product Insights

The powder segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2024. Powder-based meal replacement products act as an ideal at home or on-the-go option for people such as health-conscious individuals, busy professionals, athletes and people with dietary restrictions looking for fast and controlled meal options. The portability and user convenience, easy customization with additional ingredients of consumer choice, enhanced shelf-life and cost-effectiveness of powders promote the market growth.

Moreover, the increased emphasis on product development by manufacturers to keep up with the market competition, focus on providing evidence-based research regarding the nutritional benefits, utilization of customer engagement strategies such as user-generated content and feedback for strengthening brand loyalty and reputation as well as rising collaborations with grocery chains, online marketplaces and health food stores for expanding product visibility are the factors driving the market dominance.

The ready-to-drink segment is expected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. Growing consumer awareness towards health and wellness and the burgeoning demand for plant-based beverages and vegan food as a meal replacement option are expanding the market. Rising incidences of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes, advancements in food technology, rapid urbanization, flourishing e-commerce industry, increased focus on publicizing products to targeted audiences for improving profits and brand positioning, growing number of the fitness centre and gymnasiums as well as the intensifying market penetration of ready to drink products with availability in supermarkets and online platforms at discounted prices is anticipated to promote the market growth in the upcoming years.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline channel segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. Implementation of specific strategies such as partnering with health food retailers for securing shelf space in stores and for promoting loyalty programs, increased emphasis on direct mail marketing for targeting specific demographics with benefits of products and special discounts, in-store marketing with creation of engaging displays and signage, building brand awareness by engaging with local communities and offering samples of products at farmer’s markets, health fairs and fitness events are the factors driving the market expansion of this segment.

Furthermore, the growing focus of manufacturers on setting up production facilities in close proximity to transportation channels and places with availability of skilled workforce as well as increased product accessibility and tailored services for customers provided by offline channels is fuelling market growth.

The online channel segment is predicted to show the fastest growth during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the availability of a wide variety of meal replacement products through online platforms, the convenience of price comparison across several brands and retailers, enhanced product transparency through detailed reviews and feedback provided by consumers, increased use of targeted marketing strategies by manufacturers, increased customer engagement with direct-to-consumer sales through online platforms, development of subscription-based models for fostering customer loyalty.

Moreover, the rising use of digital marketing tactics through social media, targeted ads and content marketing as well as growing collaborations with fitness influencers and healthcare bloggers for creating brand awareness by sharing product experiences such as testimonials and recipe ideas is expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.

• For instance, in December 2024, Him & Hers Health, the health and wellness platform, launched an initiative of adding daily meal replacement bar and shakes in their extensive weight loss program. The supplements are available at $110 per month which are delivered to customers directly and are designed specifically for enhancing individualized weight loss plans, especially for patients on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications.

Meal Replacement Products Market Companies

• Abbott Nutrition
• SlimFast
• Nestle
• Wild Oats Markets
• Blue Diamond Growers
• Soylent
• General Mills 
• Herbalife
• Glanbia
• Unilever

Leader’s Announcements

• In November 2024, Huel, a meal replacement company, announced the rise in financial gains with the growth of its customer base and expansion of product portfolios into chewable foods. Chief Executive James McMaster said that “Nutrition, unfortunately, is actually quite complicated. We try to make it simple for people. Around 70 percent of all UK supermarkets have a Huel product in them.”

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Arla Foods Ingredients launched a toolbox offering 12 recipes utilizing Nutrilac ProteinBoost range to South American functional food producers which will help them in creating high protein, low-fat dairy-based desserts with a creamy and smooth texture.
• In September 2024, Arla Foods, a Danish-Swedish multinational dairy company, launched their new Protein Food to Go range of meal-replacement milk-based drinks which include 30g of protein and 12g of fibre and are available in chocolate caramel and vanilla hazelnut flavours.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

• Powder
• Ready to Drink
• Protein Bar

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa