Breakfast Cereal Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The global breakfast cereal market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.40% during the period 2025-2034. Breakfast cereals are essentially grains processed for human consumption; these may come as ready-to-eat, or need cooking before being consumed. Today, companies offer many options with different flavours, sweeteners, and added nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, etc.

The market is likely to be pushed by the taste and convenience offered by breakfast cereals. Healthier and organic options are expected to drive market growth. North America, Asia Pacific and Europe are likely to be key markets.

Healthier and Tastier Alternatives Likely to Push Market Growth

Breakfast cereal generally comes precooked or ready-to-eat, and is often consumed with milk or cream, with added sugar, fruit or syrup. North America and Europe are large consumers of breakfast cereal. In fact, it is suggested that almost half of all Americans eat cereal for breakfast every day. Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal usually comes as flaked (manufactured from rice, wheat or corn), puffed, shredded, and granular. A significant percentage of breakfast cereals are oriented towards the children’s market; several companies offer attractive, colourful and entertaining packaging with a variety of flavours. Several products also carry small toys or gifts in the packets.

With time, companies have also started offering ‘healthy’ cereals often comprising whole grain and fruit. Further, companies today target adults also with healthier alternatives. Manufacturers also offer ‘fortified’ products with extra nutrients such as minerals, calcium, vitamins and fibre. Such solutions are anticipated to drive the global breakfast cereal market.

Leading companies are taking steps to enhance value and strategic, financial and operational focus. For example, in 2021, Kellogg Company announced its a plan to divide its North American cereal and plant-based foods businesses into three autonomous public companies. The companies would include “Global Snacking Co.”, intended to be a key international player in snacking, cereal and noodles, and North America frozen breakfast; “North America Cereal Co.”, a significant player in cereal in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean; and “Plant Co.”, a pure-play plant-based foods company.

Natural, High Fibre and High Protein Products Expected to See Greater Demand

Consumers increasingly seek products with natural ingredients as these are perceived to be healthier and sustainable. For example, Europe has witnessed greater demand for cereal with natural elements. Similarly, cereal that are high in fibre, protein and whole grain are in greater demand. Asia Pacific, in particular, drives growth in high protein cereal.

Consumers Today Show Increasing Preference for Organic

Leading companies are also offering organic versions of their products to meet the growing demand for organic. For example, in 2018, Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) (the manufacturer of Nestlé Breakfast Cereals) launched the organic varieties of its brands CHOCAPIC®, NESQUIK® and CHEERIOS®.

There has been growing preference for organic products among consumers. Over the last few years, this growing preference has led to increased demand. Companies have responded with offering better-quality, nutritional alternatives that also taste good.

In 2023, Kellog’s introduced a new granola which was part of the company’s Special K range. Special K Crunchy Oat Granola was made of thirty percent less sugar and available in two flavours - Mixed Berries with blackcurrants and cranberries, and Dark Chocolate Curls with sixty-four percent cocoa. The innovative product had an oat rich base with puffed grains which rendered it a tasty, light textured granola. Higher levels of oat grain fibre in the product promoted gut health and was classified as non-HFSS.

Breakfast Cereal Market Segmentation

The report titled “Breakfast Cereal Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

By product type, the market is divided into:

• Ready-to-Eat Cereals
• Hot Cereals

By distribution channel, the market is classified into:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Store
• Online
• Others

By region, the market is divided into:

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

Key Industry Players in the Breakfast Cereal Industry

The report comprehensively analyses major players in the global breakfast cereal market, assesses their capacity, and monitors latest developments like plant turnarounds, capacity expansions, and mergers and acquisitions; key players in the market include:

• Nestlé Group
• Kellogg's Company
• Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
• General Mills, Inc.
• Post Consumer Brands, LLC
• Others

The report offers deep insights into the industry through a SWOT analysis Porter’s Five Forces model.