Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Value sales of snacks are set rise in Ireland in 2025. Although Ireland’s GDP saw a slight decline in 2024, primarily due to a contraction in the multinational sector during the first half of the year, a robust economic recovery is anticipated for both 2025 and 2026. Falling inflation rates are expected to result in stable unit prices in 2025, except for chocolate confectionery, supporting positive growth in snacks.
Key trends in 2025
Premiumisation remains a key trend in snacks in Ireland, alongside a growing shift towards value-conscious snacking. Generally, consumers are more inclined to purchase quality products, driven by concerns over potential negative health impacts. Additionally, the Irish population is becoming more open to innovation, reflected in the high rate of new product launches in 2025, with many featuring new flavours and ingredients. Smaller pack formats are also gaining popularity, linked to increasingly dynamic lifestyles and on-the-go consumption. Moreover, some consumers, especially Gen Z, prefer smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, favouring taste over quantity.
Competitive Landscape
Mondelez Ireland Production Ltd is the leading company within snacks overall in 2025, however, it is set to slightly lose share. The company produces the Cadbury, Grenade, Milka, Toblerone, Bassett’s Jelly Babies and Ritz brands, present in chocolate confectionery, snack bars, sugar confectionery and savoury snacks. Most of Mondelez’s brands are popular leaders, and constant innovators and in 2025, the player has continued to focus on new product development to boost sales. Mars Foods Ireland Ltd is maintaining its second-placed position in 2025, offering brands including Maltesers, Galaxy, Snickers, Skittles, Starburst and Celebrations. In third-place is Tayto Snacks Unlimited Co with brands including Tayto, Hunky Dorys, King and KP. However, all three leading players are set to lose share in 2025, while private label improves its position. Sales of private label are fuelled by the ongoing expansion, both offline and online, of players like Tesco and Dunnes. In the uncertain economic context, a large part of the Irish population is gravitating toward private label, perceived as offering better value for money.
Channel developments
Supermarkets is the leading distribution channel within snacks overall in 2025. Omnichannel players dominate snacks sales in Ireland, benefitting from both an expansive store network and increasing focus and optimisation of their online operations. Tesco and Dunnes are leaders in both brick-and-mortar snacks sales and online.
What next for snacks?
Value sales of snacks are expected to rise over the forecast period, driven in part by changing consumer lifestyles in Ireland. As the population leads increasingly busy lives with a rise in on-the-go consumption, snacks are set to grow in popularity. Key areas for product differentiation will continue to include new product development, innovative flavours, and sustainable packaging.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Snacks industry in Ireland with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Snacks industry in Ireland, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Snacks in Ireland report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Snacks in Ireland?
- Which are the leading brands in Snacks in Ireland?
- How are products distributed in Snacks in Ireland?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Snacks?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Ireland?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Snacks in Ireland
Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for snacks?
DISCLAIMER
Chocolate Confectionery in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising prices influence consumer buying habits within chocolate confectionery
Mondelez Ireland Production Ltd retains its lead while smaller players gain ground
Chained supermarkets remain the main distribution channel for chocolate confectionery in Ireland
Rising costs will challenge chocolate confectionery sales while trends signal a recovery
Technology, health and sustainability will be key to product production and innovation
EUDR will impact chocolate confectionery supply chains and pricing
Gum in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Modest volume growth with a stronger value performance for Gum
Wrigley continues to dominate gum sales, increasing its share in 2025
Forecourt retailers lead sales while retail e-commerce and discounters gain ground
Moderate growth expected across the forecast period, driven by chewing gum sales
Product innovation and a focus on flavour is set to drive differentiation in gum
Health trends are set to drive demand for both sugar-free and sustainable products
Sugar Confectionery in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Health trends and seasonal demand boosts growth for sales of sugar confectionery
Mondelez Ireland Production retains its lead, while Haribo GmbH & Co KG gains share
Supermarkets offer a wide range while discounters and retail e-commerce gain ground
Moderate growth is forecast for sugar confectionery amid health concerns and innovation
Technology and sustainability will shape the future of sugar confectionery in Ireland
Innovation is set to focus on the rising demand for healthier options
Ice Cream in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growing demand for plant-based and convenient formats drives ice cream sales in Ireland
Magnum remains the most popular ice cream while Nobo Ltd sees growth with its plant-based options
Chained supermarkets lead ice cream sales while retail e-commerce records growth
Positive prospects for ice cream in Ireland as plant-based ice cream is expected to drive growth
Technological advancements are expected to shape ice-cream manufacturing and retail
Premium quality and sustainability will guide future purchasing decisions
Savoury Snacks in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Savoury snacks remain resilient despite ingredient shortages and price hikes
Tayto remains the best-performing savoury snacks brand in Ireland
Convenience stores lead sales, benefiting from proximity to local consumers
Savoury snacks will increasingly be regarded as a healthier alternative to sweet snacks
Digital and technological innovation is set to shape savoury snacks in Ireland
Sustainability and health will become central theme for innovation
Sweet Biscuits, Snack Bars and Fruit Snacks in Ireland
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Flavour innovation and health trends drive growth across sweet biscuits and fruit snacks
Jacob’s drives Valeo Foods’ leadership while smaller brands and private label drive sales
Supermarkets remain the leading channel for sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks in 2025
Innovation and sales are set to be driven by rising trends in health and wellness
Manufacturers are expected to focus on upgrading their production methods
Sustainability to set to be the focus of both innovation and manufacturing
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Snacks
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- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
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- Bubble Gum
- Chewing Gum
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- Boiled Sweets
- Chewy Candies
- Gummies and Jellies
- Liquorice
- Lollipops
- Medicated Confectionery
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- Power Mints
- Standard Mints
- Toffees, Caramels and Nougat
- Other Sugar Confectionery
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- Frozen Yoghurt
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- Single Portion Dairy Ice Cream
- Single Portion Water Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Unpackaged Ice Cream
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- Bulk Dairy Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Desserts
- Multi-Pack Dairy Ice Cream
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- Bulk Water Ice Cream
- Multi-Pack Water Ice Cream
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- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
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- Potato Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Puffed Snacks
- Rice Snacks
- Vegetable, Pulse and Bread Chips
- Savoury Biscuits
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
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- Dried Fruit
- Processed Fruit Snacks
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- Cereal Bars
- Protein/Energy Bars
- Fruit and Nut Bars
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- Chocolate Coated Biscuits
- Cookies
- Filled Biscuits
- Plain Biscuits
- Wafers
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This report originates from Passport, our Snacks research and analysis database.
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