Food Supplements Market in Italy: Sales Growth, Pharmacy Dominance and New Trends
In recent years, increasing attention to health and wellness has driven more people to turn to food supplements as daily support. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the importance of maintaining optimal nutritional balance and preventing deficiencies that could compromise overall well-being.
Food supplements have become integral to the routines of millions of Italians, used not only to fill nutritional gaps but also to enhance specific aspects of health.
This article explores the latest data on the Italian food supplements market, highlighting the crucial role of pharmacies and emerging trends shaping the future of this rapidly evolving sector.
The Italian food supplements market has exceeded €4.5 billion annually, with nearly 78% of sales coming from pharmacies, according to a report presented on July 2nd in Milan by Integratori & Salute, part of the Italian Food Union.
Pharmacies dominate compared to other channels: supermarkets (7.7%), parapharmacies (7.6%), and online (6.9%). Italy remains the largest European market, comprising 26% of total sales, followed by Germany (19%) and France (15%).
Italian pharmacies generated revenue of over €3.5 billion, with probiotics representing the most profitable segment, with sales exceeding €537 million.
Minerals rank second, generating €335.2 million, showing a 2.7% increase from 2022. Vitamins and tonics follow with market shares exceeding 6%.
The report emphasizes that innovation, know-how, and research are the three pillars driving sector growth, supported by conscious and responsible consumption.
A study by Future Concept Lab shows that nearly half of Italians (48.4%) consult with a doctor before purchasing supplements, while 36.3% seek advice from pharmacists. Approximately 73% of participants used supplements at least once in the past year, and 83% at least once in their lifetime.
In conclusion, the dietary supplements market in Italy is experiencing significant growth, driven by a growing awareness of the importance of health and wellness. Pharmacies play a crucial role, dominating sales with a 78% share and generating over €3.5 billion in revenue. Probiotics, minerals, and vitamins are the most relevant segments, reflecting the needs of Italian consumers.
Innovation, know-how, and research are fundamental to sustaining this sector, along with conscious and responsible consumption. The involvement of doctors and pharmacists in consumers’ decision-making processes indicates a growing trust in professional figures to ensure the appropriate use of dietary supplements.
The future of the dietary supplements market in Italy looks promising, with emerging trends that will continue to shape the sector and promote an increasingly widespread and ingrained culture of health and wellness.
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Source: July 2024, Integratori, the market is worth over €4.5 billion annually, and 78% comes from pharmacies, pharmacy scanner.
