NBJ Releases Industry Overview, M&A Report

NBJ Releases Industry Overview, M&A Report

SAN DIEGO--Sales for the U.S. nutrition industry grew to $44.5 billion in1999--up eight percent from $41.3 billion in 1998--according to the NutritionBusiness Journal's (NBJ) newly released NBJ's Fifth Annual Overview of theNutrition Industry. NBJ conducts its own surveys on manufacturers, suppliersand analysis of more than 40 secondary sources.

According to the report, NBJ quantified statistics from the accumulated salesin dietary supplements ($15.4 billion), natural and organic foods ($9.5billion), natural personal care ($3.6 billion) and its new category, functionalfoods ($16.1 billion). Sales were also analyzed through six distributionchannels: mass market, natural food and specialty retail, multilevel marketing,mail order, practitioner and the Internet. The most sales growth was recorded inthe practitioner and Internet sectors.

Additionally, NBJ released The M&A Report 2000 stating thatmergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is expected to maintain a rapid paceas interest continues in regards to the aging population, new research andgeneral nutrition. The report noted that nearly 300 acquisitions have beenrecorded since 1996; however, while only 16 acquisitions took place in 1996,almost 100 were completed in 1999. The report also examined trends in 10business segments, including dietary supplements, raw materials and privatelabel/contract manufacturing; more than 200 deals were examined in depth.

For more about the survey and report, visit www.nutritionbusiness.com.