Children’s Food/Beverage Market On Verge Of Major Growth Phase

The children’s food and beverage market is emerging from the recession and is “on the brink of a breakthrough,” according to market researcher Packaged Facts, which forecasts 40 percent growth through 2015, thanks in part to the better-for-you products trend. The kids’ food and beverage market spans a wide variety of product categories – frozen foods, dairy products, beverages, cereal, etc. – that are linked by three criteria: a taste kids love, nutrition kids need, and entertainment kids want. According to Packaged Facts, retail sales of children’s foods reached $10 billion in 2010, up 25 percent from five years ago. The largest segment was frozen foods ($2 billion), which accounts for 23 percent of the market. Beverages and dairy products were the next largest segments.