Post-Pandemic Boom: Outdoor Hiking and Fishing Bait Markets Soar
By Industry Research Team
Over the past four years, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a growing interest in physical and mental health. More people are changing their lifestyles and turning to outdoor activities to stay mentally and physically fit. This trend, driven by the pandemic, has persisted even as it has waned, with some enthusiasts emerging.
In the United States, for example, since 2020, there has been a significant increase in the number of people hiking, camping, fishing, and cycling. Hiking and fishing enthusiasts are expected to exceed 60 million, while cyclists and campers are projected to surpass 50 million.
According to third-party data, the North American sporting goods and outdoor equipment market was approximately USD 137.17 billion in 2022. It is projected to grow to USD 346.17 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of around 9.7%.
Additionally, there is increasing diversity among outdoor sports participants in the US market. The proportion of middle- to high-income earners with annual incomes of $100,000 or more in the camping community has grown from 19% in 2019 to 37% in 2021. At the same time, more women, ethnic minorities, and young people are joining the ranks of outdoor enthusiasts
Fishing: Rapid Growth in the Fishing Bait Market
Roughly 10% to 20% of the populations in the United States and some European countries enjoy fishing. While it’s often seen as a simple sport requiring just a line, rod, and bait, the market for fishing gear has been expanding steadily in recent years.
Fishing gear includes items for both recreational and competitive fishing, such as rods, hooks, lines, bait, and sinkers. According to Moojing Oversea, the fishing category on the US Amazon market saw sales of $1.1 billion in the past year, a 70% increase from the previous year.
Data also shows that from March 2023 to February 2024, among the subcategories in the US Amazon fishing market, fishing bait saw the fastest growth, with sales increasing by 210% year-on-year.
According to a report from the American Sportfishing Association, avid anglers in the US spend approximately USD 7.7 billion annually on fishing gear. Among these, fishing rods, reels, or related accessories, as well as lures, flies, or other similar baits, are the most in-demand categories, with an annual demand of USD 1.1 billion for bait alone.