US Popcorn Market 2026 – 2035

Reports Description

As per the US Popcorn Market analysis conducted by the CMI team, the US popcorn market is expected to record a CAGR of 7.35% from 2025 to 2035. In 2026, the market size was USD 3.19 Billion. By 2035, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 6.04 Billion.

Overview

The growth of the US popcorn market is driven by increased snacking habits, home entertainment’s growing popularity, and rising preference for wellness-centric snack options. The popularity of ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn is reasoned with its convenience. On the other hand, microwave popcorn is popular amongst Gen Z and millennials, as it aligns with their minimal attention span. Exclusive cheese flavors are boosting the trend of premiumization. Hypermarkets/supermarkets continue being the major distribution channels regarding popcorn, but e-Commerce is the unique selling point.

The competitive landscape continues to stay intense, with large entertainment brands, food companies, and small-size niche players competing to have market share. The major players are emphasizing enhanced packaging, innovations in flavour, and also expanding the presence across several sales channels for attracting and retaining consumers.

Market Highlights

• By type, ready-to-eat popcorn dominated the US popcorn market in 2025 with 63.57% of the overall share.

• By type, microwave popcorn is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.91% during the forecast period.

• By distribution channel, the B2C segment dominated in 2025 with 42.37% of the market share.

• By distribution channel, the B2B channel is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.23% during the forecast period.

Key Trends & Drivers

• Rising Adoption of Snacking as Meal Replacement

Hybrid office models, busy lifestyles, and remote learning are transforming the eating habits of the Americans, with many of them going for snacks in place of conventional meals. As per the 2024 International Food Information Council (IFIC) Food and Health Survey, around 56% of adults are now preferring snacks with smaller portions, thereby indicating how snacking has turned out to be one of the key parts of routine eating habits. Popcorn is turning out to be popular as one of the convenient meal replacement options, particularly for adding protein, as it does offer nutritional value and portability. In 2025, Khloé Kardashian launched Khloud Protein Popcorn, which does provide 7 grams of protein per serving, which is thrice more as compared to regular popcorn. The celebrity-driven innovation is thus aiding popcorn in solidifying its role as a practical meal replacement option.

• Call for Healthy Snacks

As per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a serving of air-popped popcorn does provide 15% of routine recommended fiber intake for the US population. Such nutritional advantages do adhere to consumer preferences for snacks that support health goals and are also enjoyable. The demand for Non-GMO ingredients, along with transparent sourcing, does make popcorn more appealing to the buyers who are health-conscious. The brands are also responding through options such as air-popped, low-sodium, and avocado oil popcorn. Along these lines, Be Happy Snacks, in June 2024, introduced 2 novel flavors – White Cheddar and Cotton Candy, which are gluten-free, whole-grain, and low-sodium.

What’s trending in the US Popcorn Market?

The streaming platforms are making popcorn one of the popular snacks for entertainment at home, wherein involvement beyond conventional association with the movie theaters comes into the picture. With more people spending their evenings watching shows, online content, and live sports, popcorn has turned out to be an easy-going snack. The World Population Review, in 2024, reported that Netflix had 66.7 million subscribers in the US alone. Netflix also partnered with Walmart in 2024 for selling its own branded popcorn, thereby turning the viewers into buyers. The ongoing trend of binge-watching is also tied to raised consumption of snacks. In other words, the consumers are scheduling their snack purchases to align with their watching schedules, which is likely to result in a major overhaul in sales of popcorn during such times.

What would be Business Impact of the US Tariffs on the US Popcorn Market?

Tariffs levied on imported kernels (from Brazil/Argentina) are raising input costs for makers of snacks based in the US These raised costs are likely to tweak the profit margins for producers of popcorn. The trade tensions are thus rendering supply chains less predictable and creating instability. The US popcorn cultivators are also facing retaliatory tariffs, wherein their products turn out to be less affordable for buyers in China, thereby resulting in a decline in sales. Certain US-based companies such as luxury popcorn brands are shifting their focus to the non-tariffed markets (Middle East, Asia) for expansion.

Key Threats

Heavy reliance on corn as the primary ingredient does make the US popcorn market vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply issues. The USDA data shows that the corn prices are expected to differ from US$ 4.20 to 4.35 per bushel through the 2025-26 crop year. Vagaries such as floods or droughts in the prime corn-producing states in the Midwest are likely to significantly impact the quantity and quality of the crop. This does raise manufacturing costs and lessens margins for the manufacturers of popcorn. Alterations in trade policies/shifts regarding exports are anticipated to disrupt the supply of corn on the domestic front.

Opportunities

Innovation in flavors is turning out to be one of the major factors providing lucrative opportunities to the US popcorn market. This is credited to the fact that consumers are increasingly looking for exciting and unique snacking options. As per the 2024 Mondelez Snacking Report, over 60% of the US population opts for snacks instead of meals, which emphasizes the vitality of taste in their routine lives. Advancements in seasoning technology have made it possible to distribute flavors evenly, thereby encouraging brands to go with bold options. The manufacturers of popcorn are leveraging this trend through various limited-edition products for drawing attention. For instance – Smartfood, in September 2024, collaborated with Flavor Flav (rap icon) for promoting its flavor-focused campaign. In May 2025, Pop Secret launched three ready-to-eat flavors that feature “Butter Meter” for offering customization as well as convenience. Around the same time, Good Eat’n’ launched Spicy Chedda Popcorn, which addresses the rising demand for spicy and hot snacks.

Category Wise Insights

By Type

• Ready-to-Eat Popcorn

The ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn segment dominated the US popcorn market in 2025 and the status quo is expected to remain unchanged during the forecast period. This is credited to the increased consumption of RTE popcorn in theaters and at homes backed by the spending capability of the consumers. The other factor is the raised health consciousness quotient amongst the consumers. Plus, innovations with respect to flavor on a continual basis are bound to drive the market during the forecast period. AMC, in November 2021, did plan to open five popcorn stores in the US in 2022’s first half.

• Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the fact that microwave popcorn provides an easy and quick snack option that could be prepared within a few minutes, whereby it appeals to the consumers who are looking out for a hassle-free way of enjoying popcorn at home. Microwave popcorn usually comes in various pre-measured servings, wherein it becomes simpler for the consumers to exercise control over portion sizes. Also, healthier options such as air-popped or low-calorie varieties are also available, which address the health-conscious snackers.

By Distribution Channel

• B2B

Popcorn sales through B2B channels are expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is credited to their popularity in the hospitality sector, encompassing resorts, hotels, and event catering. Businesses pertaining to these sectors do offer popcorn as a value-added or complementary snack for the guests, thereby aiding in improving customer experience. Also, popcorn is getting introduced as a part of catering menus for conferences, corporate events, and even parties owing to its universal appeal and affordability. Moreover, popcorn does remain one of the staple snacks for movie theaters, which drives their consistent demand in the B2B space.

• B2C

Popcorn’s sales through B2C channels dominated the market in 2025 and the scenario is expected to persist during the forecast period. This is due to alterations in the consumers’ purchasing habits due to growing awareness about healthy snacks and various options available at hypermarkets/supermarkets and convenience stores, which do offer advantages like simple payment options, doorstep service, visible savings, and availability of a broad choice of items on a singular platform.

With the rise in consumers’ preference for the shopping apps, the major players are constructing e-Commerce websites in areas that have good potential. Also, with varying prices of the products in hypermarkets/supermarkets as per the brand, the consumers do have the option of choosing from the brands to fit their budget.

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

The supermarkets/hypermarkets hold a noticeable market share, as the consumers do prefer a one-stop solution for a broad range of products that include various kinds of popcorn. Stocking RTE, gourmet/artisanal, and microwaveable popcorn caters to diverse preferences, right from quickly snacking up to movie nights. Retailers do offer non-GMO, organic, lower-calorie, and gluten-free popcorn, which does appeal to the clean-label movement and health-conscious consumers. Bulk deals, in-store promotions, and price variability do render popcorn accessible.

• Convenience Stores

Busy lifestyles do generate demand for portable, quick snacks, and convenience stores (also called C-stores) do excel at making provisions for ready-to-eat popcorn. C-stores are capable of offering in-store popcorn that is freshly popped. This is a noteworthy differentiator, which attracts the customers with its taste and aroma. C-stores do act as vital testing grounds for novel flavors (international, gourmet, and savory/sweet mixes) and healthier options which draw the consumer preferences that are evolving.

• Online

Online platforms do transcend the geographical barriers, wherein they allow for specialty popcorns and small niche brands for audiences worldwide. The consumers can easily locate organic, gourmet, gluten-free, non-GMO, and exclusive international flavors online, which cater to premium tastes and specified dietary requirements. The ease pertaining to home delivery is driving substantial growth in consumption at the household level. The brands are also leveraging social media, digital strategies, and influencer marketing for drawing new consumers.

Historical Context

Innovations in flavors are also playing a vital role in drawing the attention of consumers. Popcorn producers have launched a broad range of bold and new flavors, right from savory options like truffle, cheddar, and sriracha to sweet varieties such as chocolate and caramel. Such diverse offerings address the customers seeking indulgence to the ones asking for healthy alternatives.

Wellness-oriented innovations are also gaining popularity, with the brands proffering more natural or low-calorie flavorings like olive oil and sea salt with the objective of meeting the requirements of consumers who are health-conscious. The seasonal and limited-edition flavors are also helping the brands in the creation of urgency and excitement amongst the snackers. For instance – offerings such as peppermint during holidays or pumpkin spice during the fall are capturing attention and driving purchases by catering to the desire for timely treats and novelty.

How is AI impacting the US Popcorn Market?

AI is transitioning the US popcorn market by raising the efficiency of production through smarter automation, customizing consumer experience through data analytics, improving quality control via machine vision, and enhancing the supply chain’s transparency using blockchain technology while catalyzing innovation with regard to sustainability and development of product. On the whole, AI integration fosters smarter operations, right from Kernels’ AI-driven quality checks to customized marketing for the consumers. Also, IoT-facilitated smart home devices do integrate the popcorn makers into the connected kitchens.

Report Scope

Key Developments

The US popcorn market is witnessing a significant organic and inorganic expansion. Some of the key developments include –

• In August 2025, Pop Secret (part of Our Home’s portfolio) launched its very first ready-to-eat line of popcorn, thereby making its presence felt in the snack aisles. This product has been made available in Homestyle Sea Salt, Movie Theater Butter, and Double Cheddar flavors, and is being offered in nearly 2,300 locations in the US.

• In January 2025, Aquinas College entered into collaboration with Robinson’s Popcorn with the objective of introducing cheddar-caramel and caramel popcorn at athletic events organized by it.

• In August 2024, Eagle Foods entered into partnership with G.H. Cretors (known for small-batch, handcrafted popcorn) and Tajín Clásico (known for chili-lime seasoning) for introducing a gourmet kettle popcorn. It is available at Costco United States and Costco Mexico.

Leading Players

The US popcorn market is highly competitive, with a large number of service providers. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Jolly Time
• Proper Food
• Eagle Foods
• Quinn Snacks
• Intersnack Group
• The Hershey Company
• Conagra Brands Inc.
• Campbell Soup Co.
• PepsiCo Inc.
• Others

These firms apply a plethora of strategies to enter the market, including innovations and mergers and acquisitions, as well as collaboration. The US popcorn market is shaped by the presence of diversified players that compete based on product innovation, vertical integration, and cost efficiency.

The US Popcorn Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Ready-to-Eat Popcorn
• Microwave Popcorn

By Distribution Channel

• B2B
• B2C
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online