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Snacking is on the rise as more and more people across the world are turning to salty goodies and treats to satisfy cravings and get them through their workdays. From pretzels and chips to jerky and nuts, consumers buy salty snacks and foods at unprecedented rates.
Today, an estimated 94 percent of households across the globe regularly consume salty snacks. This number has drastically increased over the past two years as populations stayed home and turned to comfort food during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Believe it or not, mindlessly munching on your favorite salty, savory snack is directly contributing to the exploding profitability of the global snack market. In fact, the international salty snack market is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with growth projected to continue at a rate of more than 10 percent over the next several years.
According to the numbers, snacking habits are higher than ever. It seems salty snacks have a competitive edge over their sweet counterparts, with potato chips and popcorn ranking among the world’s most popular and highest-sold snacks.
In the United States alone, it’s estimated that more than 90 percent of the population turns to salty snacks at least once a week, with 27 percent snacking out of boredom, 17 percent snacking because of stress, and the overwhelming majority of people eating salty snacks for energy or to satisfy a craving.
Across the world, more than 50 percent of adults turn to salty snacks at least two times a day and reach points to most adults around the globe enjoying at least one salty snack every week, so it’s no surprise that the market is on an upward trajectory.
Across the globe, several major companies are driving the salty snacking industry. To break it down, we’ve assembled a list of the ten largest salty snack brand companies in the world, ranked by their recent average annual reported sales.
DETAILED LIST OF THE 10 LARGEST SALTY BRANDS IN THE WORLD
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Nestlé. Vevey, Switzerland
Annual sales: $101.5 billion
Number of employees: 352,000When you think of Nestlé, salty snacks probably aren’t the first thing on your mind. In actuality, however, the Swiss multinational food and drink processing corporation is celebrated worldwide for its award-winning line of salty foods and snacks.
As the largest food company in the modern world, Nestlé rules the snack industry with more than 2,000 brands available across every region of the world.
The iconic company’s most popular salty snacks include snack mixes, crackers, YES! energy and nut bars, frozen, microwavable snacks and meals, deli meats, cereals and breakfast bars, hot pockets, pizza, pizza bites and bagels, and more.
As the brand owner and distributor of nearly 30 billion dollar snack and food brands, Nestlé markets its sodium-rich snack products in over 186 countries worldwide.
With more than 150 years in operation, Nestlé is known as the “Good food, Good life” company as it strives to “unlock the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone.”
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PepsiCo. Purchase, United States
Annual sales: $67.2 billion
Number of employees: 291,000PepsiCo might be best known for its bubbly beverages, but their salty snacks don’t fall far behind.
As the second-largest salty snack distributor in the world, the multibillion-dollar food company markets its brands in more than 200 countries and regions around the world, allowing for over one billion people to enjoy the company’s foods and beverages every day.
Among the company’s best selling salty food brands are Lay’s, Doritos, Stacy’s, Ruffles, Smartfood, Cheetos, Tostitos, Sabra, Fritos, Imagine, Sun Chips, Off The Eaten Path, Rold Gold, Miss Vickie’s, Red Rock Deli, Cracker Jack, Nut Harvest, Matador, Santitas, Funyuns, Munchies, and Sabritones.
Through their list of impressive food brands, PepsiCo makes, markets, and manufacturers a full range of potato chips, pita chips, popcorn, pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese snacks, hummus, corn chips, sun chips, veggie crisps, mixed nuts, beef jerky, and other salty snacks.
Founded in August 1898, PepsiCo has grown considerably in its 122-year history and now prides itself on closely following its mission to “be the global leader in convenient foods and beverages by winning with purpose.”
As the owner of more than 20 brands that generate more than $1 billion in annual sales, it’s no surprise that PepsiCo is one of the leaders of the globe’s salty snack market.
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Mars. McLean, United States
Annual sales: $35.0 billion
Number of employees: 125,000With 13 brands distributed in more than 30 countries worldwide, Mars, Inc. ranks as the third-largest international manufacturer of salty foods and snacks.
Dedicated to reducing sodium, promoting health and nutrition, and providing affordable and accessible foods, it’s no surprise that the global company is one of the leading distributors in today’s complex and ever-changing food and beverage market.
Through brands like Mars, MM’s, MilkyWay, Combos, Balisto, Celebrations, Tasty Bite, MasterFoods, Seeds of Change, and Ben’s Original, Mars, Inc manufacturers a comprehensive line of ready-made meals, cheeses, nuts, sweet and salty candies, chocolates, cheese-filled snacks, crackers, pretzels, tortillas, energy bars, biscuits.
Founded in 1911, the Virginia-based multinational food company has provided consumers with salty snacks, candies and confectioneries, beverages, and pet food for more than 100 years. As the sixth-largest privately held company in the United States, industry experts predict sales will only continue to rise.
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Mondelēz International. Melbourne, Australia
Annual sales: $25.9 billion
Number of employees: 79,000Operating in more than 160 countries across the globe and manufacturing a range of salty snacks, breakfast cereals, beverages, biscuits and cookies, meals, and candy, Mondelēz International ranks as the fourth largest salty snack distributor in the world based on total average annual sales in recent years.
With headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and Chicago, United States, Mondelēz International is truly a multinational company, boasting impressive worldwide sales and ranking among the most profitable and largest companies in the United States.
Mondelēz International’s leading and most well-regarded salty snack brands include Belvita, Barni, Ritz, Enjoy Life, Club Social, Honey Maid, and Hu.
Although the multinational billion-dollar food company was founded more recently in 2012, many of its brands have roots tracing back to the 19th century.
As one of the worlds’ largest snacking companies today, Mondelēz International is committed to working with local communities, providing products consumers want, and promoting sustainable snacking.
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Kraft Heinz. Chicago, United States
Annual sales: $25.0 billion
Number of employees: 38,757Ranking as the world’s fifth-largest salty snack manufacturer is the Kraft Heinz Company. As one of the largest operating food companies in the world, it’s no surprise that the corporation has its hands in the international snack market.
While the food manufacturing conglomerate is world-famous for its ketchups and condiments, their snacks are among some of the most sold food products in all major regions of the world.
The 152-year-old food processing company markets a selection of corn nuts, peanuts, mixed nuts, trail mix, meats, cheeses, cheese spreads, and other salty delights.
In addition to the Kraft and Heinz brands, the billion-dollar corporation owns numerous other lucrative brands, including Oscar Mayer, Ore-Ida, Velveeta, Lunchables, Honig, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, CapriSun, Bagel Bites, Just Crack an Egg, and Primal Kitchen.
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General Mills. Golden Valley, United States
Annual sales: $16.9 billion
Number of employees: 35,000If you’re a die-hard Nature Valley, Cheerios, Hӓagen-Dazs, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury fan, you’ve helped contribute to General Mills’ success and popularity over the course of the company’s 155-year history.
Now, with more than 100 brands in its network, General Mills has become a leader among the world’s salty snack manufacturers.
As the sixth-largest salty snack manufacturer globally, General Mills sells a wide variety of breakfast and energy bars, snack mixes, chips, crackers, cheese puffs and snacks, pizza bites, pretzels, nuts, cereals, and more.
The Minnesota-based corporation’s best-selling salty snack brands are Annie’s, Bugles, Chex, Cascadian Farm, Nature Valley, Food Should Taste Good, and Gardetto’s.
The U.S.-based food company is committed to establishing trust with customers and consumers and prides itself on making food the world loves. Since its inception in June 1866, General Mills has been a leader in the snack foods industry and now operates in six continents and more than 130 countries and territories worldwide. Gardetto’s
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Kellogg. Battle Creek, United States
Annual sales: $13.6 billion
Number of employees: 31,000Founded by Will Keith Kellogg in February 1906, the Kellogg Company, or simply Kellogg’s, has grown to become the seventh-largest salty snack distributor globally and one of the most well-known brands in America.
Although most consumers tend to associate the Kellogg Company with Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes, there’s a lot more than what meets the eye when it comes to Kellogg’s.
The multinational Michigan-based company owns several highly profitable snack food brands, including Cheez-It, Pringles, Town House, Austin, Club, Carr’s, Special K, Zesta, and Toasteds.
The Kellogg Company’s most popular savory and salty snacks include cheese crackers, cheese crackers with peanut butter, chips and crisps, snack crackers, cornflake crumbs, snack mix, and pita crackers.
Throughout the company’s 115 year history, Kellogg’s brands have delivered consumers with the highest quality snacks, cereals, crackers, and convenience foods.
With a mission of creating “a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled,” the Kellogg Company continues on an upward trajectory, most recently ranking among America’s most trusted brands and the top 50 companies for diversity.
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Ferrero USA. Alba, Italy
Annual sales: $12.6 billion
Number of employees: 40,000According to average annual sales, Ferrero SpA, or simply Ferrero, ranks as the eighth largest salty snack manufacturer globally.
Founded in 1946, the company is perhaps best known for its marketing of Kinder Joy, Kinder Surprise, and Nutella products. However, the Italian distributor makes and distributes a lengthy list of best-selling brands.
Under the direction of executive chairman Giovanni Ferrero, the billion-dollar family-owned food corporation is celebrated in the salty snack market for its line of crackers, wafers, savory cookies, chocolate-covered nuts, hazelnut chocolate treats and bars, and salty Ferrara candies.
As the 75-year-old company continues to expand, special consideration is now being given to creating the highest quality products while engaging and supporting local communities and focusing on environmental protection and sustainable agriculture efforts.
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Grupo Bimbo, S.A.M de C.V. Mexico City, Mexico
Annual sales: $12.1 billion
Number of employees: 135,739Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V, more commonly known as Groupo Bimbo or simply Bimbo, is a Mexican multinational food processing company and the ninth-largest international distributor of salty snacks according to recent average annual sales.
Founded in December 1945, Bimbo has grown considerably in its 75-year history and now markets and sells its brands in more than 30 countries across North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
With more than 100 brands and 13,000 products, it’s no surprise that Bimbo is among the group of companies leading the salty snack industry across the globe. The billion-dollar company’s most popular brands are Wonder Bread, Bimbo, Sara Lee, Entenmann’s, Thomas’, Ricolino, Takis, Oroweat, and Marinela.
Grupo Bimbo’s best-selling salty snacks include chips, English muffins, savory cookies, snack and breakfast bars, bread products, tortillas, nuts, and more.
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Conagra Brands. Chicago, United States
Annual sales: $7.83 billion
Number of employees: 16,500Rounding out the list of the ten largest salty snack brands in the world is Conagra Brands, the owner of popular brands such as Udi’s, Frontera, Slim Jim, Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop, Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, and Healthy Choice.
With a mission of providing quick and easy snacks to consumers across the globe, Conagra Brands has been making and manufacturing food products for sale at supermarkets, restaurants, and other food establishments since 1919.
As a global leader in the salty snack industry, Conagra Brands is most popular for its selection of tortilla chips, granola, snack mixes, traditional popcorn, kettle corn, beef jerky strips, sea salt pickles, nut butters, pork rinds, cheese snacks, and plant-based jerky.
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- Food Brands
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- Largset Salty Snacks Brands
- Largest Soup Brands
- Largest Tomato Sauce Brands
Author
Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.
