U.S. Low-Carb Sales Grow 103% in 2003 to $1.4 billion

U.S. low-carb food and beverage sales grew 103% in 2003 to reach $1.4 billion, according to a new report released by Nutrition Business Journal (http://www.nutritionbusiness.com/). Research Director, Patrick Rea, said, “The sports nutrition, weight loss and low-carb food markets are the most dynamic segments of the nutrition industry—and also perhaps of the broader food and pharmaceuticals industries.”

The low-carb phenomenon represents a significant opportunity for companies to market products to consumers that are “preferable alternatives.” Whereas it is still in the early days of the low-carb market, NBJ anticipates tremendous growth in the short-term of the next two to three years as a number of products re-position themselves as low-carb that may already have a lower carbohydrate profile than products they compete against. Examples already exist of this re-positioning in many segments from bars to beer. In addition, hundreds of newly formulated low-carb products have made it to the market since 2002 with the momentum expected to continue well into 2004.

NBJ’s Sports Nutrition & Weight Loss Report 2004 indicates that U.S. consumer sales of SNWL products will achieve a compound annual growth rate of 7%, reaching sales of $28.4 billion in 2013. Incremental new sales of $290 million to $670 million will be added to the market each year between 2004 and 2013, representing significant opportunity for new products and substantial growth potential for existing products or brand extensions.

Chapters in the SNWL report include:

SNWL Data Overview

Product Categories

Sales Channels Channels

U.S. Nutrition Industry

Low-Carb Foods

Retail

Historical & Projected Growth

Weight Loss Pills

Direct to Consumer

Regulations

Sports Nutrition Supps

Health Clubs

Pricing

Sports Performance Pills

SNWL Supply

Consumer Usage & Spending

Sports Powders/Formulas

SNWL Company Profiles

Private Label

Prepared Sports Drinks

Retailer Profiles

SNWL Science

Nutrition Bars

Direct to Consumer Company Profiles

Strategies

Sports/Energy Beverages

Weight Loss Program Company Profiles

History of SNWL

Weight Loss Meal Supps

Low-Carb Company Profiles

Founding Players in Sports Nutrition

Mergers & Acquisitions

Global Markets

NBJ’s 2004 Sports Nutrition & Weight Loss Report features detailed market data charts, growth forecasts, NBJ's top company lists and a strategic review of business trends in SNWL. This year’s SNWL report features a special section on low-carb, including information on top companies, top brands, product categories and sales channels. In addition to low-carb, NBJ’s SNWL Report details activity in sports nutrition supplements, sports/energy drinks, meal replacement supplements, nutrition bars and weight loss supplements. This 380-page report is priced at $1,995 for non-NBJ subscribers. For more information, visit nutritionbusiness.com or call 619-295-7685 x12.

Nutrition Business Journal is a market research, publishing and consulting company serving the nutrition, natural products and alternative health care industries. Nutrition and natural products include, but are not limited to, dietary supplements, herbs/botanicals, vitamins/minerals, natural/organic foods and natural personal care. Alternative health care embraces services related to insurance, HMOs, investment and alternative therapies (e.g. chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy). For more info, visit www.nutritionbusiness.com.