Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Snacks is expected to register value and volume growth in 2025, in what is an improving economic picture. Inflation is easing (0.7% in 2024) and interest rates are also projected to be lower (2.4% in 2025). Panama leads the region's economy, with inflation in particular remaining among the lowest in the region, thanks to the monetary stability provided by dollarisation. Together with favourable demographic factors, the strength of traditional consumption habits has helped to ensure demand remains reasonably resilient in all categories.
Key trends in 2025
In 2025, consumers searched for promotional products, discount prices or multipack/volume packaging more regularly. Lower brand loyalty remained in trend as consumers sought to purchase products that offered the best value for money. For instance, demand has risen for sharing formats and mini version/single serving to better portion control, as exemplified by Club Extra Mini Bites.
Competitive Landscape
Productos Alimenticios Pascual SA continues to play a leading role in snacks as it is the main Panamanian biscuit manufacturer in the country. All of the company’s products come under the Pascual brand name and its portfolio covers sweet and savory biscuits, nuts, savory snacks and sugar confectionery. Pascual is widely recognised and trusted by consumers. The company's strong distribution network in modern grocery retailers and small local grocers has helped to solidify its competitive advantage.
Channel developments
Modern grocery retailers is the leading distribution channel for snacks due to the expansion in the number of outlets and their capacity to offer a wide range of brands. Small local grocers, on the other hand, continued to take advantage of their convenient locations and appropriate products. The challenge for brands is not only to be presented across multiple channels, but also to generate seamless and consistent shopping experiences to connect with consumers at every touchpoint. Super 99 announced aggressive expansion plans for its supermarket chain, while renowned supermarket chain Super Carnes, opened its new MAX format in San Antonio. This new format is designed to offer customers a wholesale shopping experience without a membership, combining convenience and a breadth of offerings like never before.
What next for snacks?
Sales of snacks will register moderate constant value and volume growth over the forecast period. There will be some degree of premiumisation in certain snacks, such as chocolate confectionery, though in general, volume sales will continue to be driven by price, traditional consumption habits and frequent impulse purchases, while ongoing macroeconomic improvements should also continue to boost demand in the short-to-medium term.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Snacks industry in Panama 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 Panama, 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 Panama 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 Panama?
- Which are the leading brands in Snacks in Panama?
- How are products distributed in Snacks in Panama?
- 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 Panama?
- 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 Panama
Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for snacks?
DISCLAIMER
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Growth of confectionery sales as consumers allow themselves small indulgences
International players retain the lead in confectionery thanks to their extensive distribution networks and consumer trust in their products
Supermarkets and small local grocers retain the leading role in distribution of confectionery while forecourt retailers transform into multifunctional hubs
Prospects and Opportunities
Positive outlook for confectionery as consumers extend their variety, price points and product sizes
Larger pack sizes in boiled sweets seen over the forecast period
Growing international recognition of Panamanian chocolate confectionery as consumers increasingly demand premium and organic chocolate confectionery
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Sales growth of sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks as sweet biscuits remains by far the most popular
Productos Alimenticios Pascual SA retains the lead in sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks
Supermarkets and small local grocers remain the leading channels for sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks
Prospects and Opportunities
New flavours ensure continued consumer interest in sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks over the forecast period
Growing role of retail e-commerce thanks to its broader assortment and effective strategic marketing
Industry players create healthier options, including those designed to especially appeal to children
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Growth in ice cream sales in 2025, supported by hot weather and an increase in brand variety
Industrias Lácteas SA and its Estrella Azul brand lead in ice cream in 2025
Consumers continue to favour supermarkets to fulfil their ice-cream requirements, while retail e-commerce experiences growth
Prospects and Opportunities
Moderate forecast period growth of ice cream as consumers demand indulgence
Growing influence of the internet in setting trends in ice cream over the forecast period
Growing demand for plant-based ice cream thanks to the growing popularity of dairy-free milk
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2025 Developments
Sales growth of savoury snacks boosted by widening and increasingly adventurous flavour varieties
Comercial Pozuelo Panamá retains the lead in savoury snacks in 2025
Supermarkets remains the leading channel for savoury snacks, while retail e-commerce achieves strong growth
Prospects and Opportunities
Modest growth of savoury snacks as consumers seek new experiences through snacking
Competition intensifies in popcorn
The health and wellness trend continues to shape consumer choices and new launches in savoury snacks
Category Data
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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