Crackers originated in the USA with credit bestowed on John Pearson for creating Pearson’s Pilot Bread. The Pilot cracker had a long shelf life and was highly popular. Pearson later established the first brand of packaged crackers – the Crown Pilot Cracker. National Biscuit Company acquired Pearson’s company in 1889 and continued to make and sell the Crown Pilot for over a century. Since the creation of that first cracker, many companies have entered the market and introduced new textures, flavors and ingredients.

As a result of the high popularity and wide variety of crackers offered, the global market has reached nearly $21 billion in sales annually. National Biscuit Company, which became known as Nabisco and is now a subsidiary of Mondelez International continues to be one of the leaders in terms of sales and volume.

The top companies in the cracker market include Nabisco for Ritz and Honey Maid, Campbell for the ever popular Goldfish cracker, and Kellogg Co. for its Cheez-It brand.

RITZ

GOOD THINS

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