The "merendina" is a typical product of the Italian confectionery industry that has no equal in the world. In no other country, in fact, are there single-serve snack products weighing just an average of 35 grams. A recent survey confirms the central role the "merendina" plays in the eating habits of Italians: nearly 8 out of 10 Italians (77%) regularly consume these snacks, on average twice a week, in line with the recommendations of nutritionists.

In 2024, the sector as a whole reached a value of nearly 1.4 billion euros, with about 192 million kilograms of "merendine" sold. These snacks are the mass-market descendants of homemade desserts: from "torta margherita" (a simple sponge cake) to fruit tarts to bundt cakes.