Page 21 - FoodFocusThailand No.244 August 2026

SPECIAL FOCUS

Current consumer demand is scientific evidence, Thai manufacturers can develop distinctive healthy snack bars
increasingly focused on products that create market differentiation and effectively meet the needs of consumers
featuring high protein, high fiber, low or in both domestic and global markets.
no added sugar, plant-based ingredients, Looking ahead, competitive advantage will depend not merely on producing
clean-label formulations, and functional snack products, but on designing a snacking experience that successfully
ingredients. TPSO has also reported integrates the unique value of locally sourced ingredients, nutrition, convenience,
remarkable growth in plant-based snacks and sustainability. Such an approach will be a key factor in driving the future
(+56.6%), high-protein snacks (+22.5%), success of healthy snack bars in the markets.
and no-added-sugar snacks (+20.9%),
reflecting a clear shift toward healthier,
more sustainable, and convenient food
choices. Consequently, the concepts of More Information Service Info C001
health, sustainability, and convenience
have become key drivers of product
innovation in the snack industry. เอกสารอ้างอิง / References
สำำ�นัักง�นันัโยบ�ยและยุทธศ�สำตร์์ก�ร์ค้้�. (2567). Healthy Snack เทรนด์์ใหม่่ม่าแรงท่�วโลก.
Healthy Snack Bars: กร์ะทร์วงพ�ณิิชย์.
Creating Value Through Euromonitor International. (2025). Health and wellness: Global market insights
Diverse Ingredients (or Snacking trends). Euromonitor International.
Thailand possesses strong competitive FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, & WHO. (2024). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in
advantages in developing healthy the World 2024: Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its
snack bars through its rich diversity forms. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/
of agricultural resources. Promising cd1254en
local ingredients include rice and whole Innova Market Insights. (2025). Top 10 trends 2025. Innova Market Insights.
grains, legumes and cashew nuts as Mintel. (2025). Global Food and Drink Trends 2025. Mintel Group Ltd.
sources of plant-based protein and Mondelēz International. (2025). State of Snacking : Global consumer trend study 2024.
TM
healthy lipids, emerging protein sources
such as Wolffia (Watermeal) and Kai
algae (Cladophora spp.), as well as
tropical fruits, herbs, and agricultural
by-products that can be valorized as
upcycled ingredients. In addition, both
soluble dietary fibers (e.g., inulin and
fruit-derived fibers) and insoluble
dietary fibers (e.g., rice bran fiber
and cereal fibers) can be incorporated
to enhance nutritional value, promote
satiety, and support digestive health.
Combined with established food
processing technologies—including
extrusion, baking, vacuum frying,
and drying—these resources create
significant opportunities for developing
innovative healthy snack bars with
improved nutritional profiles, desirable
textures, and extended shelf life.
Beyond the availability of diverse
raw materials, Thailand also possesses
strong potential in food processing
technologies, including extrusion,
baking, vacuum frying, and drying
technologies. These processes play
an important role in preserving nutritional
value, developing desirable textures
that meet consumer preferences,
and extending product shelf life.
By integrating the potential of local
ingredients with nutritional knowledge,
product formulation expertise, and

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