The gluten-free food market is estimated to reach sales of $8.8 billion in 2014, an increase of 63 percent from 2012 to 2014, according to research firm Mintel.
The burgeoning growth is due in large part to greater awareness of a gluten-free diet as a result of increasing diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities, and the diet’s perceived health benefits, according to Chicago-based Mintel.
“The category will continue to grow in the near term, especially as FDA regulations make it easier for consumers to purchase gluten-free products and trust the manufacturers who make them,” said Amanda Topper, food analyst at Mintel. “Despite strong growth over the last few years, there is still innovation opportunity, especially in food segments that typically contain gluten.”
All gluten-free food segments increased in the past year, though the snacks segment grew the most, with an increase of 163 percent from 2012 to 2014, reaching sales of $2.8 billion. Sales increases were mainly due to a 456 percent increase in potato chip sales. Meanwhile, the meats/meat alternatives segment is the second-largest gluten-free food segment in terms of sales, reaching $1.6 billion in 2014, a 14 percent increase over the two-year period.
The bread products and cereals segment saw gains of 43 percent during that same time period, and is set to reach $1.3 billion this year. Bread and cereal are ripe for gluten-free growth, with only 1 percent of the overall segment termed gluten-free, according to Mintel.
“Gluten-free products appeal to a wide audience; 41 percent of U.S. adults agree they are beneficial for everyone, not only those with a gluten allergy, intolerance or sensitivity. In response, food manufacturers offering either gluten-free alternatives or existing products with a gluten-free label have increased dramatically over the last several years,” Topper said.
But not everyone is convinced of gluten-free’s health attributes. While 33 percent of survey respondents in 2013 agreed that “gluten-free diets are a fad,” the number increased to 44 percent of Americans in 2014. However, that hasn’t slowed the popularity of gluten-free products, with 22 percent of Americans currently following a gluten-free diet, compared to 15 percent in 2013.
