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The snack industry is changing excitingly in a more global world. People simply aren’t settling for the ordinary - they want bold flavours, functional benefits, cultural experience and sustainable packaging. As 2025 nears, retailers worldwide need to catch up fast to be in pole position to benefit from the new trends in snacking taking off, particularly in key markets such as the US and China. From a nostalgic treat re-imagined for Gen Z to an East-meets-West fusion snack, these are the 10 snacks from abroad that retailers have to stock by 2025.
1. Newest Snack Trends Between China and the U.S.
How China and America’s snack industries diverge. Even the snacking industries in China and America are moving in similar but separate directions. Although both illustrate innovation, there are cultural underpinnings in product development aspects. Yet common themes are beginning to emerge that span borders and generations.
- Healthy Snacking
The health-and-wellness movement still rules the snack aisle. Six years from now, consumers are more into low sugar, high protein and plant-based snacks, and there are now fewer than ever that they are thinking about. In China, there is a growing appetite for old-school herbs and plant-based proteins, as well as nutrition-focused snacks in the United States, like vegan and keto. The likes of PeaTos and Beyond Meat’s snack lines are some prime examples here, focused on health. - Functional Snacks
Snacks that provide more than calories are a growth business. Think adaptogens, probiotics and nootropics. And these “functional” snacks? They’re all about stress relief, gut health and energy boosters. In both markets, drinks and bars containing ginseng, ashwagandha or live cultures are entering the grocery mainstream. - Fusion Of Nostalgic And Innovative
Retro is in - but with a twist. U.S. and China brands are breathing new life into favourite childhood snacks with modern twists. From White Rabbit Candy with fresh, smooth textures to updated Ding Dongs, Gen Z and Millennials are gobbling up nostalgic snacks updated for the future. - Environmentally Friendly Packaging
In 2025, sustainability is not a choice. In both markets, there’s a push for biodegradable wraps, compostable pouches and recyclable snack packs. Brands that refuse the call for greener packaging do so at their peril, as eco-conscious consumers grow increasingly aware.
2. 5 Chinese Snacks Going Global And How To Make Them!
China’s snack game has grabbed the world’s foodies’ notice. Chinese snacks are moving out of the shadow of sweets, with bold flavours and cultural authenticity driving growth in mainstream markets outside Asia.
- White Rabbit Limited Edition for Gen Z
The iconic milk candy, White Rabbit, has been given a dramatic makeover. Now it’s found in ice cream flavours, filled mochi and even in lip balm and beverages. The retro wrapper offers nostalgia, while new formats and flavour extensions attract younger consumers. - Spicy Mala Chips & Hot Pot-Flavoured Snack
Mala. Spicy, numbing mala, the flavour from Sichuan food, is no longer reserved just for hot pot. From chips to puffs to, yes, instant noodles with hot pot seasoning, an increasing share of adventurous snackers is getting in on the action. Their heat dovetails nicely with the growing popularity of bold, exotic flavours. - Hawthorn Fruit Rolls and Jellies
It has a sharp-sweet flavour and is believed to be good for digestion; a traditional Chinese ingredient, hawthorn has been catching on overseas. Health-minded consumers in search of new superfoods are snacking on such items as hawthorn fruit leathers, snack bars and gel candies. - Century-Egg Flavoured Crisps and Niche Savoury Snacks
Not for the faint of heart, snacks flavoured with century eggs, fermented tofu and other niche flavours are catching the curiosity of snackers. They are often marketed as limited editions in gourmet shops or through e-commerce platforms, adding to their exotic allure.
3. American Snacks With an International Twist
Standing out: American snack brands still have global cache, but by 2025, the winners will be brands that can deliver a combination of variety, nutrition and indulgence. ·Best Tasting Beef Jerky & High Protein Snacks
- Premium Beef Jerky and High-Protein Snacks
Snacking that emphasises protein is doing very well. And American-style beef jerky, bison bars and turkey sticks now come in flavours like teriyaki maple or Korean BBQ. This is what’s appealing to international gym-goers, hikers and busy professionals seeking nourishment on the run. - Popcorn Options: Cheddar, Caramel, and Combinations of the Two
Popcorn is on an upswing, well beyond butter and salt. Seek out flavours like sriracha cheddar, matcha caramel or wasabi soy popcorn. These fusion flavours make popcorn an earthy canvas for global experimentation. - Cookies and Bars: From Store-Bought Regrets to Homemade Delights
And although Oreos are iconic, the demand for organic, gluten-free or functional cookies is expanding. Brands like Partake (allergy friendly) and Lenny & Larry’s (protein packed) have updated takes that do not lose in translation internationally. - Breakfast To-Go: Granola Clusters & Trail Mixes
Active lives need active nutrition on the go! Granola bites, superfood trail mixes, and oatmeal bars are on the rise, and ingredient lists include more and more of the trendy ingredients such as chia seeds, dried dragon fruit, and dark chocolate cacao nibs.
4. Fusion Snacks: East Meets West 2025
Fusion snacks are transcending borders. In 2025, successful products evoke a harmonising of cultural identities and global palates, frequently melding cherished Asian ingredients with Western formats.
- Matcha Chocolate Bars with a peanut butter centre
Japan’s matcha is an Americanized sweet for the social media age, where the candy comes filled with a rich peanut butter or a crunchy pretzel. These bars are converting fans of both earthy flavours and creamy textures. - Gummy Candy, Lollipops and Bubble Tea-Focused Treats
And the global boba-mania continues. Now, it’s finding its way into gummies and hard candies, and, most recently, into energy chews. Look out for flavours like brown sugar milk tea, taro and Thai tea in fun, portable forms. - Sichuan BBQ Potato Chips Made in the U.S.
Sichuan pepper, fermented bean paste and five-spice are in the flavour lineup for potato chip brands in the U.S. These are bold profiles that cater to foodies seeking spicy, numbing thrills at every crunch. - American-style Fillings in Cheesecake Mochi
Mochi is no longer just for ice cream. By 2025, fusion mochi filled with New York cheesecake or strawberry shortcake or even, most blasphemously of all, cookie dough will be sold in grab-and-go packaging at major supermarkets.
5. RETAIL STRATEGY Stocking for Snack Variety
In 2025, retailers will need to move beyond traditional stocking strategies to cater for a multi-ethnic, digital-savvy consumer base.
- Mixing the Old and the New Classics
There’s only so much space on your shelf - and it’s valuable real estate. Retailers have to manage a careful balance of classic crowd-pleasers like Lay’s and KitKats alongside emerging new sensations like hawthorn rolls or kombucha gummies. Cross-promotions and sampling can generate trials without gutting inventory. - Multicultural Snack Shelf Space Utilisation
Organise snacks by flavour profile, region, or benefit (“Plant-Based Picks”, “Spicy Adventures”) for better discoverability. Shop-floor signage that educates about global ingredients. Retailers can augment customer experiences with custom shelf signage that educates shoppers about global ingredients. - Predicting Snack Demand with the Help of Data Analytics
Consumer packaged goods retailers using AI and predictive analytics can inventory smarter. Track trends online, in-store and on social media to see which snacks are taking off. Real-time data prevents stockouts and overstocks. - Holiday and Seasonal Snack Curation
Think mooncakes around Mid-Autumn Festival or pumpkin spice trail mix for fall. Creating snack kits that celebrate major world holidays engages and creates loyal shoppers from all types of customers.
6. Package & Identity: What Sells Across Borders
In an era of short attention spans and crowded shelves, packaging is everything. In 2025, brilliant design and smart tech are key to international success.
- Minimalist vs. Vibrant: What Sells in China vs. America
Chinese consumers tend to be attracted to colourful and detailed packaging that emphasises benefits and flavours. Americans, on the other hand, seem to prefer minimal, “Instagrammable” designs with simple lines and muted palettes. Brands need to adjust the packaging visuals of products for a certain market, but remain recognisable. - QR Codes and Smart Packaging for the Supply Chain of Ingredients
Transparency is king. This year, QR codes, which provide insight into the origins of an ingredient, an allergy warning, or even an augmented reality (AR) experience, are a must-have. A few brands let customers trace the snack from farm to shelf. - Branding Local to Don't Lose Global?
Localising doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning brand values. Instead, with taglines, images and product names, successful companies are dialling up the local flavour a notch or two while keeping elements of the original identity.
Conclusion: The Future of Snacking Is Global and Diverse
And as 2025 draws near, it’s apparent that the future of snacking sits at the crossroads of innovation, health, culture and sustainability”. Retailers - whether stocking bestselling bronzers from around the world, bringing together fusion experiences in their aisles or addressing the needs and desires of eco-conscious consumers - that embrace the diversity will hit consumer demand right on the head, if not a little above.
Whether it’s bubble tea lollipops, matcha-peanut butter bars or hawthorn jellies, the snacks of tomorrow are flavorful, functional and boundary pushing. Retailers, take note: That best-seller you’re looking for may come from across the ocean.
