Sports Nutrition Industry Size, Share of Key Players, SWOT Analysis, and Report

Sports Nutrition Market Size:

The global sports nutrition market size reached USD 58.7 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 104.7 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.58% during 2025-2033. The market is experiencing moderate growth driven by rising focus on health and fitness lifestyles, increasing awareness about the importance of protein intake and supplementation for muscle recovery and overall performance, and rapid expansion of e-commerce platforms and online retail channels.

Sports Nutrition Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The market is driven by increasing awareness about health and wellness, expanding athlete and fitness enthusiast demographics, and rapid innovations in flavor profiles and product formulations.
• Key Market Trends: The ongoing shift towards the development of innovative flavor profiles to enhance the appeal of their products is supporting the market growth. Moreover, the introduction of formulations to meet specific performance and recovery needs is also fueling the market growth.
• Geographical Trends: North America leads the market, driven by its robust fitness culture, health-conscious consumers, and a well-established sports nutrition industry, followed by regions like Europe and Asia-Pacific.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the sports nutrition industry include The Coca-Cola Company, Abbott Nutrition Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Glanbia Plc., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc., Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., Post Holdings Inc., GNC Holdings, Clif Bar & Company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Atlantic Multipower UK Limited, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Olimp Laboratories, Ultimate Nutrition Inc., PowerBar Europe GmbH, etc., among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: While the market faces challenges, such as the regulatory complexities and concerns about product safety, it also offers opportunities in expanding product offerings to cater to specific dietary preferences and emerging markets.

Sports Nutrition Market Trends:

Increasing health and fitness awareness

The growing awareness of health and fitness is a major factor driving the sports nutrition market share. In today's environment, when well-being and physical fitness are critical, individuals are discovering how important good nutrition may be for sports performance, muscle recovery, and general health, leading to an increased demand for sports nutrition products. Additionally, the heightened understanding about the need for optimal nutrition that might be the key to accomplishing fitness objectives, such as gaining lean muscle, increasing endurance, or living an active lifestyle, is favoring the market growth. Furthermore, the widespread awareness of the health and fitness movement among elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and those just beginning out in fitness, is expanding the demand for sports nutrition. For instance, in 2022, 77.6% of Americans participated in at least one physical activity during the 2022 calendar year.

Expanding athlete and fitness enthusiast demographics

The rapid increase of the athlete and fitness enthusiast populations is a major driver boosting the sports nutrition market growth. in line with this, the widespread popularity of sports nutrition products beyond professional athletes is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. It includes a wide spectrum of individuals, including weekend warriors, amateur athletes, fitness fanatics, and those commencing on their fitness adventures. In 2021, 232.6 million Americans took part in sports and fitness activities, enhancing the need for sports nutrition solutions that cater to their special demands. As more individuals embrace active lifestyles, engage in various sports and exercises, and seek athletic objectives, they comprehend the importance of nutrition in accomplishing peak performance and post-exercise recovery.

Product innovation and diversification

Continuous innovation and diversification are major drivers propelling the sports nutrition market. Manufacturers within the industry are catering to evolving consumer preferences and demands, resulting in a constant stream of novel products and formulations. These innovations extend across multiple facets of sports nutrition. Manufacturers are consistently developing new formulations to meet specific performance and recovery needs. For instance, Coca-Cola launched Powerade Ultra, a sports drink with creatine, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), vitamins B3, B6, and B12, and +50% more ION4 electrolytes compared to original POWERADE. Apart from this, flavors play a pivotal role in consumer acceptance, and companies are actively exploring innovative flavor profiles to enhance the appeal of their products. Unique and enticing flavors make sports nutrition products more enjoyable and cater to individual taste preferences.

Sports Nutrition Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, raw material, and distribution channel.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Sports Drinks
• Sports Food
• Sports Supplements
   

Sports drinks accounts for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes sports drinks, sports food, and sports supplements. According to the report, sports drinks represented the largest segment.

According to the sports nutrition market trends, sports drinks is the dominant product in the market as they are widely consumed by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These beverages are designed to replace fluids, electrolytes, and carbohydrates lost during physical activity, enhancing hydration and energy replenishment. Moreover, ready-to-drink (RTD) sports drinks are popular due to their ease of use and appeal during and after exercises. Furthermore, sports drinks are essential for athletes to maintain performance and avoid dehydration. Along with this, the growing customer preference for effective and convenient hydration solutions owing to their busy lives, is promoting the sports nutrition market demand.

Breakup by Raw Material:

• Animal Derived
• Plant-Based
• Mixed
   

Animal derived holds the largest share of the industry

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the raw material have also been provided in the report. This includes animal derived, plant-based, and mixed. According to the report, animal derived accounted for the largest market share.

Animal-derived raw materials play a prominent role in the sports nutrition market, primarily due to their high-quality protein content and essential amino acids. Ingredients like whey protein, casein, and collagen derived from sources like milk, eggs, and animal tissue are favored by athletes for muscle recovery and growth. These sources offer fast-absorbing proteins that are readily utilized by the body. Whey protein, in particular, is a popular choice due to its complete amino acid profile. Its rapid digestion makes it suitable for post-workout supplementation. The high biological value and efficacy of animal-derived raw materials make them a dominant force in sports nutrition.

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

• Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Drug and Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others
   

Hypermarkets and supermarkets represent the leading market segment 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes hypermarkets and supermarkets, convenience stores, drug and specialty stores, online, and others. According to the report, hypermarkets and supermarkets represented the largest segment.

According to the sports nutrition industry research report, hypermarkets and supermarkets represented the largest market share due to their broad reach and diversified product offerings. They provide a diverse selection of sports nutrition commodities, including supplements, beverages, and snacks, making them available to a wide spectrum of consumers. Moreover, the rising benefits of shopping from hypermarkets and supermarkets owing to the ease of shopping, which allows them to explore and compare several brands and items in one destination, is catalyzing the global sports nutrition market demand. Along with this, the heightened opportunity to physically check and purchase things, along with the availability of in-store discounts, increases their attractiveness.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
• Latin America
   

North America leads the market, accounting for the largest sports nutrition market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest regional market for sports nutrition.

According to the sports nutrition industry statistics, North America leads the sports nutrition market, driven by a strong fitness culture, high prevalence of health-conscious consumers, and well-established sports nutrition industry. Moreover, the growing demand among athletes and fitness enthusiasts for products that enhance their performance and recovery, contributing to the demand for sports nutrition supplements, drinks, and foods, is stimulating the market growth. A robust retail infrastructure, including specialized stores and online platforms, is supporting the market growth. Additionally, rapid innovations in product formulations and the growing focus on clean labels that align with consumer preferences, s supporting the market growth.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the sports nutrition industry include The Coca-Cola Company, Abbott Nutrition Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Glanbia Plc., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc., Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., Post Holdings Inc., GNC Holdings, Clif Bar & Company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Atlantic Multipower UK Limited, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Olimp Laboratories, Ultimate Nutrition Inc., PowerBar Europe GmbH, etc.
  
  (Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)
   
• The key players in the market are actively engaging in several strategic initiatives to maintain and expand their market presence. These initiatives include product innovation and diversification, with a focus on clean labels, plant-based offerings, and specialized formulations to cater to evolving consumer preferences. For instance, PepsiCo launched a caffeinated energy drink under the Gatorade brand, which includes 200-mg of caffeine, B vitamins, and electrolyte levels. Additionally, branding and marketing efforts remain robust, with collaborations with athletes and fitness influencers to enhance brand visibility. Many companies are expanding their distribution networks by entering new markets or strengthening their online presence to reach a broader consumer base.

Sports Nutrition Market News:

• November 1, 2021: The Coca-Cola Company acquired full ownership of BODYARMOR, a well-known brand specializing in sports performance and hydration beverages. This strategic move by Coca-Cola signifies a significant addition to its existing beverage portfolio. BODYARMOR's products bring a new dimension to Coca-Cola's offerings, catering to the growing consumer demand for healthier, functional beverages.
• November 16, 2021: Abbott Nutrition Inc. introduced Similac 360 Total Care, the latest advancement in infant formula, featuring Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and major prebiotics that closely mimic those naturally occurring in human breast milk. This groundbreaking product, Similac 360 Total Care, marks a significant milestone as the first and sole infant formula available in the United States that combines a blend of five distinct HMOs, a combination previously exclusive to breast milk.
• March 20, 2023: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited introduced a new addition to its SOYJOY brand of whole-soy nutrition bars, known as SOYJOY Fruits & Cheese. This latest flavor variant represents a noteworthy expansion of the SOYJOY product line, offering consumers a unique and delicious option.

Sports Nutrition Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the sports nutrition market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global sports nutrition market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the sports nutrition industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.