Post-Pandemic Boom: Outdoor Hiking and Fishing Bait Markets Soar
By Jessie Wang
3 min read
Over the past four years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a growing interest in physical and mental health, and more people have changed their lifestyles and turned to outdoor activities to stay fit in body and mind. The trend began with the pandemic and has continued as the pandemic has faded, and some of those who took up outdoor activities in that period have since become committed enthusiasts.
In the United States, for example, the number of people hiking, camping, fishing and cycling has risen considerably since 2020. According to third-party data, the number of hiking and fishing enthusiasts is expected to exceed 60 million, while the number of cyclists and campers is projected to pass 50 million.
Third-party data also puts the North American sporting goods and outdoor equipment market at approximately USD 137.17 billion in 2022, and projects that it will grow to USD 346.17 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of around 9.7%.
The people who take part in outdoor sports in the US are also becoming more diverse. The proportion of campers with annual incomes of $100,000 or more grew from 19% in 2019 to 37% in 2021, while more women, ethnic minorities and young people are taking up outdoor activities.
Fishing: Rapid Growth in the Fishing Bait Market#
Roughly 10% to 20% of the population in the United States and in some European countries enjoy fishing. Although fishing is often seen as a simple sport that needs only a line, a rod and some bait, the market for fishing gear has grown steadily in recent years.
Fishing gear includes equipment for both recreational and competitive fishing, such as rods, hooks, lines, bait and sinkers. According to Moojing Oversea, sales in the fishing category on a leading US marketplace reached $1.1 billion in the past year, an increase of 70% on the previous year.
The data also shows that between March 2023 and February 2024, fishing bait grew faster than any other fishing sub-category on the same marketplace, with sales up 210% year-on-year.
According to a report from the American Sportfishing Association, avid anglers in the US spend approximately USD 7.7 billion a year on fishing gear. Rods, reels and related accessories, together with lures, flies and similar baits, are the categories in greatest demand. Annual demand for bait alone comes to USD 1.1 billion.
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