South America Fruit Snacks Market Outlook, 2030

The South American food snacks market has experienced dynamic growth over the past decade, driven by changing consumer lifestyles, increasing urbanization, and evolving dietary preferences. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru are major players within the region, each contributing uniquely to the development and expansion of the snack food industry. Traditionally, snacks in South America included local staples such as empanadas, arepas, cassava chips, and plantain-based products, which remain popular today.

However, with increased exposure to global food trends and the proliferation of multinational snack companies, the market now includes a wide variety of options, from packaged savory and sweet snacks to protein bars and organic alternatives. The rising middle class, especially in urban centers, has led to greater demand for convenient, ready-to-eat food options, which is a significant factor contributing to the expansion of the snack segment. Moreover, the younger demographic, with their affinity for modern eating habits and on-the-go consumption, has further spurred the demand for innovative and diverse snack products.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the South American snack food market, reshaping both consumer behavior and supply chain dynamics. During the initial stages of the pandemic, lockdowns and mobility restrictions led to panic buying and a spike in demand for shelf-stable snacks. Consumers sought comfort and convenience during uncertain times, leading to increased sales of chips, cookies, and other packaged snacks.

However, as the pandemic continued, health awareness grew, prompting a shift in demand toward healthier snack options, such as those with reduced sugar, gluten-free, or plant-based ingredients. The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of e-commerce and online grocery shopping across the region. Snack companies responded by enhancing their digital presence, expanding delivery options, and forming partnerships with food delivery platforms.

According to the research report "South America Fruit Snacks Market Outlook, 2030," the South America Fruit Snacks market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.03% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. South America boasts a diverse culinary heritage, which is strongly reflected in its snack food offerings. Traditional snacks like empanadas (stuffed pastries), arepas (cornmeal cakes), pão de queijo (cheese bread), plantain chips, and alfajores (dulce de leche-filled cookies) are deeply ingrained in the daily lives of many people. While these traditional snacks continue to dominate local markets, they are now increasingly being produced in packaged, ready-to-eat formats to cater to modern consumption habits.

At the same time, global snack brands have entered the market, introducing products such as potato chips, chocolate bars, and cookies, creating a blend of local flavors and international influences that is shaping the future of snack consumption in the region. Major global brands like PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Mondelez have leveraged culturally tailored advertising strategies to gain market share. These campaigns often incorporate local languages, traditions, and influencers to connect more deeply with consumers. Additionally, there has been a significant shift toward digital marketing and social media advertising, particularly in markets like Brazil and Argentina, where platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are widely used.

Influencer marketing, in particular, has become a powerful tool for reaching younger consumers, while in-store promotions and attractive packaging continue to be vital for impulse purchases. Local and artisanal snack brands have also begun to make their mark, using health-focused narratives, sustainability messaging, and ethnic authenticity as key differentiators. These smaller brands are increasingly utilizing online platforms and direct-to-consumer models to penetrate the market and establish a loyal customer base.

Market Drivers

• Growing Health and Wellness Awareness: In South America, there is a steadily increasing awareness of health and wellness among consumers, especially in urban centers like São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Santiago. People are becoming more conscious about their diet, seeking healthier snack alternatives to replace traditional high-calorie, processed options. Fruit snacks, marketed as natural and nutritious, are benefiting from this shift. Consumers appreciate products that offer real fruit content and added vitamins, aligning with their goals for better nutrition and wellness.
• Rising Middle-Class Population and Disposable Income: South America’s expanding middle class is fueling growth in the fruit snacks market. As disposable incomes rise, more consumers are willing to spend on convenient, better-quality snacks. This demographic shift supports demand for packaged fruit snacks that combine health benefits with convenience. Additionally, greater urbanization and modernization of retail infrastructure - such as supermarkets and online platforms - are improving product accessibility, encouraging more frequent consumption.

Market Challenges

• Economic Instability and Inflationary Pressures: South American markets often face economic volatility, currency fluctuations, and inflation, which directly impact consumer spending habits. These economic challenges can make fruit snacks, particularly premium or imported brands, less affordable for many consumers. Price sensitivity remains a significant hurdle for manufacturers trying to grow their market share. Additionally, inflation drives up production costs for raw materials and packaging, squeezing profit margins.
• Lack of Awareness and Misconceptions About Fruit Snacks: Despite growing interest in healthier snacks, there is still limited consumer education regarding the benefits and nutritional value of fruit snacks compared to traditional sweets or salty snacks. Some consumers may perceive fruit snacks as overly processed or containing high sugar levels, reducing their appeal. This lack of awareness poses a challenge for brands that must invest in marketing and education to communicate product benefits effectively and dispel misconceptions.

Market Trends

• Increasing Demand for Organic and Natural Products: There is a noticeable trend in South America toward organic, natural, and clean-label products within the fruit snacks category. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality and origin of their food, seeking snacks made from organic fruit, without artificial preservatives or additives. This trend is driven by growing environmental awareness and the desire for healthier lifestyles. Brands that offer certified organic products or emphasize natural ingredients are gaining competitive advantage.
• Product Innovation with Local and Exotic Fruits: South American fruit snack producers are capitalizing on the rich biodiversity of the region by incorporating local fruits like açaí, guava, passion fruit, and maracuja into their products. This trend caters to consumer interest in unique flavors and functional benefits associated with these fruits, such as antioxidants and vitamins. Innovation also includes new formats like fruit bars, dried fruit mixes, and fruit-based gummies, appealing to both traditional and modern snack consumers.

Sweet and Savory Chips are the fastest-growing product type in the South American fruit snacks industry due to their alignment with evolving consumer preferences for innovative, natural, and healthier snack alternatives that combine taste variety with convenience.

Sweet and Savory Chips have rapidly gained momentum within the fruit snacks industry, driven primarily by shifting consumer preferences toward healthier, more natural snack options that still deliver on taste and satisfaction. As health consciousness grows across the region, particularly in urban areas, consumers are increasingly seeking snacks made from real fruits, free from artificial additives, and offering functional health benefits like fiber, vitamins, or antioxidants. Sweet and Savory Chips - often made from tropical fruits like mango, banana, or plantain - perfectly fit this niche, providing a guilt-free snacking experience that satisfies both sweet and salty cravings.

Their unique flavor combinations - such as chili-lime mango or salted coconut banana - offer a novel twist that appeals to younger demographics and food explorers who crave innovation. Additionally, the format of chips resonates with the familiar snacking habits of South American consumers, who are accustomed to potato or corn-based chips. The switch to fruit-based alternatives feels intuitive yet exciting. Another key factor behind their fast growth is the surge in clean-label trends, with many manufacturers emphasizing simple ingredients, minimal processing, and sustainable sourcing.

Consumers are increasingly drawn to transparency and authenticity in what they consume, and fruit chips cater to this demand by showcasing their natural origins and production methods. Furthermore, the convenience and portability of packaged Sweet and Savory Chips make them ideal for on-the-go lifestyles, especially among working professionals and students.

From a market dynamics perspective, increased investment in food processing technologies and a rise in local fruit chip startups have also lowered costs and improved availability, expanding distribution through supermarkets, health food stores, and online platforms. International health food trends and social media have played a role too, exposing South American consumers to global innovations and prompting local adaptations.

Pineapple fruit snacks are experiencing moderate growth in the South American market due to their regional availability and health appeal, but are limited by strong competition from more popular local fruits and consumer preference for diverse flavor profiles.

Pineapple is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes like bromelain, making it an attractive ingredient for health-conscious consumers seeking functional snacking options. Its naturally sweet and tangy flavor also appeals to a broad audience, especially when used in dried or chewy snack formats. Moreover, pineapple is cultivated widely across tropical regions of South America, particularly in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador, giving local manufacturers reliable access to fresh supply chains that can support snack production with lower transportation costs and fresher inputs. However, despite these strengths, the growth of pineapple-based fruit snacks remains moderate rather than explosive, due to several factors.

First, the market is highly competitive, with other tropical fruits like mango, banana, açaí, and guava often preferred for their stronger cultural relevance, wider culinary versatility, or trending “superfruit” status. These alternatives sometimes overshadow pineapple in terms of novelty and perceived health value. Additionally, consumer interest is increasingly leaning toward variety and exotic or mixed flavors, and single-fruit options like pineapple may struggle to keep pace unless innovatively blended with other ingredients. While pineapple is well-liked, it does not always stand out on its own in a market where unique taste combinations and new textures are driving consumer excitement.

Also, there are certain limitations in the processing of pineapple snacks - such as the risk of excess moisture or acidity - that can affect product stability and shelf life, posing manufacturing challenges. From a marketing standpoint, pineapple lacks the “trendiness” factor that some newer or imported fruits enjoy in urban health food circles. Finally, pineapple’s strong, distinct flavor may not suit every palate, especially for consumers seeking milder or less acidic snack options. These combined factors result in a growth trajectory that is positive but tempered.

Online channels are the fastest-growing distribution type in the South American fruit snacks industry due to rising internet penetration, increasing e-commerce adoption, and consumer demand for convenience, variety, and direct access to health-focused products.

The rapid expansion of online channels in the fruit snacks industry is being fueled by a convergence of technological, behavioral, and market trends that together make e-commerce the most dynamic distribution platform. As internet access and smartphone usage continue to grow across urban and semi-urban regions, more consumers are turning to digital platforms for their shopping needs. This shift has been particularly transformative in the food and beverage sector, where online retail now offers an efficient, convenient way to discover and purchase a wide array of health-oriented products like fruit snacks.

The demand for healthier, clean-label, and natural snack options has increased dramatically, and online platforms make it easier for consumers to explore niche brands and product innovations that may not be readily available in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Moreover, online channels allow for targeted marketing, enabling fruit snack brands to reach health-conscious segments, such as young professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and parents seeking nutritious options for their children.

The rise of digital payment systems and secure delivery infrastructure has also played a key role in boosting consumer confidence in e-commerce, especially in countries like Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, where local logistics providers have improved last-mile delivery services. Importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated e-commerce habits across South America, introducing many first-time online shoppers to the convenience of home delivery and subscription snack services, and many of these habits have endured post-pandemic.

Online platforms also provide a space for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, which bypass traditional distribution networks to offer fresher products, better pricing, and transparent sourcing - all attributes that resonate strongly in the fruit snacks category. Social media and influencer marketing further amplify the reach of fruit snack products, creating an ecosystem where online discovery, reviews, and purchases are seamlessly integrated.

Brazil is the largest market in South America’s fruit snacks industry primarily due to its abundant fruit production, growing health-conscious consumer base, and expanding modern retail infrastructure.

Brazil’s leadership in the South American fruit snacks industry is driven by a unique combination of rich natural resources, evolving consumer preferences, and improvements in retail and distribution networks. As one of the world’s largest producers of diverse tropical fruits like mango, guava, acerola, passion fruit, and pineapple, Brazil enjoys ready access to high-quality raw materials, which significantly lowers production costs and supports a thriving fruit processing sector. This abundant fruit supply allows manufacturers to innovate and produce a wide range of fruit snack products that appeal to both domestic and export markets.

At the same time, Brazilian consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious, reflecting global trends where demand grows for convenient yet nutritious snacking options. The rising awareness about the importance of balanced diets and the harmful effects of excessive sugar and artificial additives is encouraging consumers to choose fruit-based snacks as healthier alternatives to traditional sugary treats or fried snacks. This shift is particularly noticeable among younger generations and urban populations, who are more exposed to international food trends and wellness information.

Furthermore, Brazil’s expanding middle class - with higher disposable incomes - is fueling demand for premium, packaged food products, including fruit snacks that emphasize natural ingredients and added health benefits such as vitamins and antioxidants. The country’s modern retail sector, including supermarket chains like Carrefour, Pão de Açúcar, and Walmart, alongside a growing e-commerce platform, has increased product accessibility nationwide, even reaching smaller cities and rural areas.

This retail growth is critical to market expansion because it allows fruit snack brands to distribute a variety of products to diverse consumer segments. Additionally, local manufacturers are increasingly collaborating with international brands, adopting advanced production technologies, and focusing on sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly packaging to meet consumer expectations.

Considered in this report

• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report

• Fruit Snacks Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type

• Candies and Bars
• Sweet and Savory Chips
• Dairy-based
• Other Fruit Snacks

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to this industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.