Sports Nutrition Market Report

As consumers become more concerned about the usage of components in products, the use of organic substances in the formulation of sports nutrition products is gaining traction in the market. Consumers are increasingly preferring green label organic items. Vegan products that contain simple organic or natural substances with no artificial tastes or chemicals are becoming more popular. Clean labelling and guidelines imposed by various governments are creating prospects for market expansion in a variety of industries. Different sporting events provide an excellent platform for advertising and distribution of these products. Sports activities also help in developing an awareness regarding the nutrition products. The expansion of health clubs and fitness facilities around the world has resulted in the rise of the sports nutrition market. Furthermore, a rise in demand for sports nutrition from casual consumers who are not actively engaged in any physical activities is driving market growth. Demand for energy bars and ready-to-drink protein among lifestyle users is constantly expanding, thus, encouraging the market's expansion. Moreover, the availability of such products is becoming much easier with the growth of online stores and delivery services, that is contributing in the expansion of the sports nutrition market.

Excessive consumption of sports nutrition supplements may result in an increase in calorie intake and cause certain side effects. The use of prohibited chemicals and stimulants is hampering the sports nutrition market growth. The use of prohormones and anabolic steroids will limit the expansion of the sports nutrition sector. Availability of counterfeit and low-cost products pose a threat to the expansion of the sports nutrition market. High cost of production of protein supplements further restricts the market growth. Another challenge is the availability of eco-friendly products that appeal to the younger generation. Companies must improve their products in order to produce natural and healthy items. Satisfying a diverse and growing consumer base is one of the most challenging tasks in the growing sports nutrition market.

The sports nutrition market is very competitive, with the existence of different international and domestic companies. The global market players are increasingly relying on product innovation as its primary approach. Extensive R&D investments have taken place in recent years, resulting in the introduction of various new products to the market. Furthermore, the players are actively working on supplying consumers with novel solutions that also provide functional benefits. For instance, in June 2024, DSM-Firmenich had launched innovative sports nutrition solutions in partnership with Team DSM-Firmenich and PostNL. This collaboration aims to introduce groundbreaking products designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. Furthermore, in January 2024, Holland & Barrett had introduced its own-label sports nutrition brand, by focusing on high-quality supplements tailored for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This move aims to expand their product range and cater to growing demand in the sports nutrition sector. Additionally, Glaxon, a rapidly rising sports nutrition company and General Nutrition Centers Inc. (GNC) collaborated in Oct 2021 as the established retailer's collaboration under a new technical incubation programme initiative. Science in Sports introduced a new product line for athletes called Beta Fuel, In Jul 2021, and is made up of one-part fructose and two parts maltodextrins. Mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and flavour differentiation are some of the primary techniques used by market players to gain an edge over their competitors.

Increasing consumer awareness about health and fitness, as well as an increase in the number of health and fitness centres in the region, drives the sports nutrition market in North America. Moreover, the increasing number of new product launches in the sports supplement category, indicating high demand for these products in the coming years, as well as the presence of significant market players in the region, are some of the important drivers expected to fuel market growth. An increase in the number of government initiatives supporting sports-related activities is another key element boosting the uptake of sports nutrition in the region.

The changing lifestyles of Asian consumers, particularly in India and China, are creating opportunities for sports nutrition products to become a convenient food alternative to satisfy cravings and provide nutrients after sports or exercise. Hence, consumer participation in sports is one of the primary factors driving the sports nutrition market. The increasing snacking trend among the country's health-conscious consumers boosts the need for sports nutrition, particularly energy and protein bars. Fitness enthusiasts in the Asia-Pacific region are also driving the market with their growing demands, such as stamina enhancement, muscle development and body-fat reduction encouraging emerging players to enter the sports nutrition market and thus, the demand for sports nutrition is significantly rising in the region.