• Snacking preferred over traditional mealtime for fourth consecutive year
  
• Snacks remain regularly included in consumers' budgets, despite rising prices
• Consumers are being more mindful and present when enjoying snacks
• Consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable snacks

CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondelēz International today announced the launch of the fourth annual State of Snacking™ report, a global consumer trends study examining annual insights on how consumers make snacking decisions. This year’s report explores how current economic challenges are affecting consumer snacking choices around the world – with a majority of respondents continuing to prioritize snacking, despite rising costs and economic challenges.

Developed in partnership with The Harris Poll, the report tracks snacking attitudes and behaviors among thousands of consumers surveyed across 12 countries for a fourth consecutive year. These findings illustrate the expanded role of snacking– as snacking increasingly replaces traditional meals in consumers' lives. Key findings include that consumers around the world are snacking:

• Daily - Snacking is a staple – 71 percent of consumers snack at least twice a day.
• Mindfully - 78 percent of consumers report they take time to savor indulgent snacks with 61 percent saying they take time to portion out snacks before eating them.
• Frequently - Consumers are increasingly replacing meals with snacks, with 55 percent reporting a higher likelihood to eat a snack across all three standard mealtimes.
• Sustainably - Reducing waste is a top priority, with seven in 10 consumers saying they prioritize snacks that have less packaging and 72 percent saying they typically recycle it.

“Our State of Snacking report confirms that in these trying times, consumers around the world view their favorite snacks as affordable and necessary indulgences,” said Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International. “Snacking continues to be a way for consumers to connect or to enjoy a moment of delight in their day, further demonstrating our belief that every snack can be enjoyed in a mindful way.”

The survey demonstrates that consumers are looking for snacks to meet different needs in their lives. The vast majority said they regularly snack to reward themselves (78 percent) and for a sense of comfort (77 percent), including an overwhelming majority of millennials (85 percent for both reasons). The current environment also emphasizes the importance of brand recognition, with 67 percent saying they would buy fewer of their favorite snack brands rather than generic alternatives, regardless of cost.

The survey complements Mondelēz International’s diverse, proprietary snacking insights knowledge– including macro trends from multiple sources informing the future of snacking and validating the company’s focus on delivering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.

Additional findings from the 2022 State of Snacking report, available for download at www.mondelezinternational.com/stateofsnacking, include:

Mindful snacking

• Consumers are making an effort to be mindful and present while snacking, with 78 percent reporting they take time to savor indulgent snacks.
  • Many are also tuning into portion sizes, saying they take time to portion out snacks before eating them (61 percent) and check nutrition labels on snacks before buying them (68 percent).
  • Meanwhile, less than half (46 percent) say they feel guilty when enjoying an indulgent snack or treat.
    

A way to connect

• Snacking offers an important opportunity to connect with others, with seven in 10 confirming, “sharing snacks with others is my love language.”
  • This trend of regularly sitting down to enjoy snacks with loved ones is especially strong among households in India and Mexico.

Appetite for sustainability

• Consumers are very focused on how their snacking choices impact the environment – and they recognize that both companies and consumers play key roles in sustainable snacking.
  • 63 percent of consumers agree that snacks with a higher environmental impact should cost more, especially millennials (70 percent) and Gen Z (69 percent).
  • 64 percent are willing to pay more for snacks that are better for the environment, and 65 percent would pay more for snacks with ethically sourced ingredients.
    

“Today’s consumer is more conscious than ever about their consumption – and that includes health and well-being, as well as the impact on the planet,” said Martin Renaud, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Mondelēz International. “The findings of this report continue to help inform our strategy as a global snacking leader with a focus on chocolate and biscuits and a commitment to mindful and sustainable snacking.”

About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers consumers to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2021 net revenues of approximately $29 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Clif Bar. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “aim,” “plan,” “continue,” “commitment,” “remain,” “likely” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about Mondelēz International’s strategic priorities and growth strategy; Mondelēz International’s future performance, including its future revenue and earnings growth; plans to reshape Mondelēz International’s portfolio and extend its leadership positions in chocolate and biscuits as well as baked snacks; Mondelēz International’s leadership position in snacking; volatility in global consumer, commodity, transportation, labor, currency and capital markets; consumer behavior, consumption and demand trends and Mondelēz International’s business in developed and emerging markets, its channels, its brands and its categories; Mondelēz International’s environmental, social and governance and sustainability strategies, goals, targets and initiatives; and long-term value creation. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mondelēz International’s control, which could cause Mondelēz International’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Please also see Mondelēz International’s risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. There may be other factors not presently known to Mondelēz International or which it currently considers to be immaterial that could cause Mondelēz International’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements it makes. Mondelēz International disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.