CAROLINA ORDONEZ
Euromonitor International, Chicago, USA

Abstract

Globally, sports nutrition is the fastest growing category within the Consumer Health industry, rising from USD8.4 billion in 2012 to USD13.6 billion in 2017. Looking forward, sports nutrition is expected to continue growing at the fastest rate of any consumer health category (6.8% CAGR 2017-2022) driven not only by core users but also by an expanding consumer base who is following global fitness trends while investing more in sports nutrition and healthy diets as a strategy for healthy ageing.

SPORTS PROTEIN DEMAND WILL CONTINUE

In fact, sports protein products represented 82% of the sports nutrition industry in 2017 (ei. USD13.6 billion) and it is forecasted to grow by 6.8% CAGR 2017-2022 to reach USD19 billion by 2022. Hence, many sports nutrition players are either repositioning their protein products towards sports nutrition or launching new innovative sports proteins, especially plant-based proteins. 

This plant-based trend is driven by the growing population following flexitarian diets (ie. trying to eat less meat) and younger generations who want to support the cruelty-free movement (eg. Gen Z and Millennials) while also perceiving plant-based proteins as a healthier alternative to animal proteins.

ONLINE SALES WILL GROW AT THE FASTEST PACE

In terms of channels, within the Consumer Health industry, sports nutrition is also the category growing at the fastest rate via e-commerce, with 18% online CAGR 2012-2017, the sports nutrition industry reached USD3.2 billion in 2018, and is expected to continue expanding in this channe ...