Happy National Acai Bowl Day! While tracking froyo news, we spotted the emergence of the acai bowl trend in Australia. Acai isn’t something we normally track, but we noticed a pattern:
- November 2023: YO-CHI adds acai to the Paddington location, later adding self-serve acai to additional branches
- November 2023: Acai Affair, a self-serve acai and froyo shop, opens in Sydney
- December 2023: YOMG, the burger and froyo chain, adds self-serve acai to existing locations
- January 2024: Purple Flow, a counter-serve froyo and acai shop, opens in Sydney
- February 2024: The Acai Crew, a mobile trailer serving acai bowls, froyo bowls, and coffee, opens in Bentleigh East
A quick online search for acai in Australia revealed a mix of local and international franchise acai shops, self-serve and counter-serve, some with froyo, some without. Purple Foods, a leading supplier of frozen fruit and acai in Australia, lists 29 places where you can find acai in Melbourne.
Google Trends reveals a significant spike in the number of people searching for acai in Australia, a good proxy for consumer interest, starting in September 2023. There is no such spike in interest in the U.S. market, a mature market for acai. We did see a spike in new acai shops in the Los Angeles area in 2021, but we believe that was driven by the interest in immunity-boosting foods during the pandemic. Acai is rich in antioxidants.
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Evolution of Acai in Australia
While acai bowls were initially perceived as a nutritious breakfast option, the perception has evolved and Australians are seeking acai as a late-night snack. Acai shops have responded to the trend by staying open later. The soft serve form of acai is more attractive and more appealing on social media. This also explains why Australian frozen yogurt shops are adding acai.
Thirsty Monkey claims to have started the trend of soft-serve style acai bowls in 2018. Since then, many acai shops, froyo shops, and cafes in Australia have started serving acai bowls. As for the market size, the industry has seen substantial growth, with IBISWorld reporting that as of 2024, the market size of the Acai Bowl Shops industry in Australia is $666.8 million, marking an increase of 2.18% from 2023. The top three cities leading this trend are Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast, known for their vibrant food scenes and health-conscious communities.
Oakberry, a Brazilian chain, currently has 43 locations in Australia. Oakberry launched in Australia in January 2019, its first international market.
The outlook for acai bowls in Australia remains positive, with trends suggesting continued growth and innovation in how these nutritious bowls are served and enjoyed. Australians with disposable income are seeking premium products in the health and wellness space. They are drawn to unique, healthy foods such as nut butter, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia pudding, and exotic fruits.
With low barriers to entry, expect to see even more places to get acai in Australia. Moreover, the specialized aspect and limited access to acai berries will drive up prices, as will the rising costs of inputs like fruits, milk, and yogurt.
