The health food market - France

The dietetic foods market has experienced significant growth reaching a value of €2.78 billion in France. Globally, the health and wellness food market is projected to grow from US$733.1 billion in 2020 to US$1 trillion by 2026. This surge is driven by rising health concerns, such as increasing rates of obesity and diabetes, with diagnosed cases under care reaching 4 million. The demand for gluten-free products remains substantial, constituting one-third of the dietetic sector's sales, as more individuals adopt gluten-free diets due to health conditions or personal choice.

Large food corporations and specialized dietetic food companies are the key market players, with the former using existing distribution networks and the latter focusing on specialized stores to cater to a more health-conscious consumer base. Prices for dietetic products are significantly higher than their standard counterparts, with some diet food items costing up to eight times more. Regulations such as the European Directive 89/398/EEC and Regulation number 1924/2006 play a crucial role in market oversight.

Rising Health Awareness Drives Demand for Dietetic Foods in Evolving Market

In recent years, the demand for dietetic foods in France has witnessed a notable upsurge, powered by an acceleration in demographic health issues such as obesity and diabetes. The market experienced a robust growth of approximately 25%, reflecting an evolving consumer behavior towards healthier eating. Despite a steadily growing market, dietetic foods face stiff competition from other trends like natural, home-made, and organic foods.

Obesity and overweight issues have consistently risen, with nearly half of the French population falling into this category, marking an increase of about 9%. The prevalence of obesity has doubled, indicating a concerning health trend among the populace. Obesity distribution varies by region, with areas such as Hauts-de-France demonstrating a higher rate than the national average. In terms of demographics, age and occupational category show variances with older individuals above 55 years experiencing higher rates of overweight and obesity. Workers and employees are notably affected, with over half in these groups falling into the overweight category. Furthermore, diabetes management has climbed, with the number of individuals treated for the condition jumping significantly from between 3 to 4 million in just a three-year span, the majority being cases of type 2 diabetes.

The gluten-free market sector presents an intriguing case. Accounting for a substantial share of health food sales, gluten-free products continue to attract both individuals with celiac disease and a growing number of 'gluten-sensitive' consumers. This marked interest is expected to propel further market expansion with recognition from regulatory bodies and endorsements from celebrities contributing to its popularity. In line with health being a prime concern, the French show a pronounced preference for healthy eating, even surpassing physical activities in terms of lifestyle choices. Popular diets such as flexitarian have gained traction among a significant minority of the population, while the inclusion of 'free-from' options like gluten-free or lactose-free is practiced by a notable fraction of individuals. Sports nutrition is also a burgeoning segment with increasing sports club registrations indicating a larger market for sports-related dietary products.

A majority of French individuals express a desire to lose weight, with a considerable portion planning diets—a trend that underscores the broadening scope for dietetic foods. The dietetic foods market is characterized by fierce indirect competition. With a growing awareness about healthy eating, consumers often choose alternatives like seasonal, organic, and fair trade products, posing a challenge to dietetic food.

The Central Players Shaping the Dietetic Foods Market Landscape

In the rapidly growing dietetic foods market, various players, ranging from specialized niche firms to global food giants, are vying for a piece of the pie. Their strategies and offerings are as diverse as the consumer needs they aim to fulfill, and they all contribute to the dynamic nature of this sector.

• Specialized Nutrition Experts
  
  
  • Paving the way companies like ABCD Nutrition and Nutrisens have carved out a space for themselves by focusing primarily on the development of dietetic foods. ABCD Nutrition, with its strong R&D investment, is continually innovating in the gluten-free space, launching new products and even creating new brands like Naten to cater to specific niches within the larger market. Nutrisens takes a similar approach, offering an array of diet-specific foods that cater to medical requirements and personal health goals.
    
    
  • Herbalife and Pro Dietic—Catering to specialized diets herbalife and Pro Dietic are two other noteworthy players that have zeroed in on specialized dietary needs. Herbalife has made a name for itself in the world of supplements and meal replacements, ideal for weight management and nutritional balance. Pro Dietic, on the other hand, offers targeted nutrition solutions that cater to a variety of dietary restrictions and preferences, ensuring that consumers have access to the specialized foods they require.
    
    
• Global Food Conglomerates
  
  
  • Diversifying Their Offerings Global food corporations such as Nestlé, Danone, Unilever, Ebro Foods, and Lactalis have also taken significant steps to establish their presence in the dietetic foods market, expanding their product lines to include health-focused alternatives. These conglomerates leverage their expansive distribution networks and strong brand recognition to offer consumers an array of options, from lactose-free yogurt by Danone to Nestlé's gluten-free "Harry's Si Bon!" bread. Danone’s acquisition of plant-based pioneers like WhiteWave and Earth Island further exemplifies how these giants are branching out to capitalize on new market segments.
    
    
  • Herbalife’s commitment to nutrition and Health Herbalife has been synonymous with nutrition and weight management products. As a global nutrition company that has been in the market for decades, Herbalife provides a wide range of products, including protein shakes, snacks, vitamins, and sports and energy products designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. They stand out through their direct-selling model, which focuses on personalized nutrition and community to support consumers in achieving their health objectives. 

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 06/12/2021

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Size of the global health and wellness food market
• Breakdown of sales (in value)
• Size of the health food market
• Evolution of obesity and overweight in the French population
• Evolution of obesity in the population by gender
• Share of overweight and obesity by age
• Share of overweight and obesity in the different occupational categories
• People managed for diabetes in 2018 (types 1 and 2)
• Distribution of the proportion of people with diabetes by gender
• Distribution of the proportion of diabetics
• Reason for eating gluten-free foods
• Consumers of gluten-free products by gender
• Reason for consuming gluten-free products
• Main concerns of the French
• Effectiveness of habits for a healthier lifestyle
• Proportion of French people wishing to lose weight
• Diets practiced by the French
• Evolution of the number of licenses and participation certificates issued by the sports federations
• Percentage of French people who eat seasonal, organic, fair trade, gluten-free or lactose-free products
• Establishments registered under the activity 10.86Z
• Employees registered under the activity 10.86Z
• Gluten-free consumer behavior in the restaurant industry
• The most important information about a food product
• Least important information about a food product
• Consumer confidence in labels, brands, or guarantees
• Consumers of organic products at least once a month
• Changes in shopping habits and eating behavior