Staple Foods

Retail volume sales of processed fruit and vegetables continued to decline in 2023. This was due in a large part to the still-elevated rate of inflation, which impacted the cost of living and caused consumers to rationalise their spending. Consumers…

Processed fruit and vegetables, as a product area, faces challenges stemming from significant price increases. Manufacturers continue to grapple with the repercussions of 2022's gas price hikes, which have driven up production costs. As a result,…

While current value sales are expected to increase, constant value sales are expected to fall. Rising costs hit profitability, as inflation is still an issue, though the rises in prices is easing. That being said, volume sales are expected to…

Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat achieved minimal retail volume in 2023, although current value growth remains robust. Consumer demand has slowed down due in part to the country’s negative population growth. Rampant inflation has…

Since the beginning of 2023, packaged food brands are required to incorporate health warning black seals on their packaging, indicating an excess content of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

Convenience stores continue to grow their portfolio of processed meat, seafood, and alternatives to meat in 2023. Convenience store chains like Fresh Market offer both imported and local products, with imported brands bringing innovative options to…

While current retail value sales of processed meat see double-digit growth in 2023, volume decline is attributable to higher unit prices, with the increasing cost of raw meat, animal food, energy and transportation being passed on to the consumer.…

The maturing meat substitutes market is experiencing a slowdown in volume growth due to several factors. Firstly, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have played a role in the sales decline, impacting consumer behaviour and preferences.…

Sales of processed poultry have continued to grow in retail volume terms in 2023 despite the high price hikes caused by inflation and the increase in the cost of raw materials and energy. These products are still relatively cheap compared to other…

The landscape for shelf-stable seafood is primarily led by canned tuna and canned sardine sales. During the outbreak of COVID-19, canned tuna gained popularity due to its affordability, versatility, and extended shelf life, making it a reliable…

Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat in Egypt is projected to see declines in retail volume sales across categories, but dynamic increases in retail current value sales over 2023. The decreases in retail volume sales followed big…

Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat continued to see the normalisation of volume sales in 2023. Foodservice volume sales recovered at the expense of retail volume sales as Coronavirus (COVID-19) and related restrictions eased and lifted.…

Shelf stable seafood is mainly imported and is expected to be impacted by inflationary pressure in 2023. While Bolivia had managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar,…

Processed meat continues its downward trend in response to the prevailing health and wellness movement. Local consumers are increasingly moving away from processed meat, viewing it as less healthy due to the additives and preservatives required for…

Czechs continued to reduce their meat consumption in 2023, with a growing number of consumers identifying as flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan. This was tied to the high price of meat, due to the elevated rate of inflation, as well as environmental…

Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat reported slightly negative volume growth in 2023, due to the decline in demand for chilled processed red meat and frozen processed red meat and seafood, which are mainly sold in bulk over the counter.…

In 2023, the growth of processed meat in Ireland was driven by robust demand from the UK and EU, comprising 43% and 47% of the total value of Irish beef exports, respectively. Furthermore, there were promising opportunities in Asia, notably China,…

Overall, rice, pasta and noodles is expected to register moderate constant value and volume growth. Rice continues to account for most volume sales and it is a key ingredient in local dishes. Pasta registers lower volume growth in 2023 than rice, as…

Rice is expected to register positive current value and volume growth in 2023. Rice is an important staple in the Bolivian diet, having one of the highest consumption rate in the region. However, it was protected from global inflationary pressure, as…

In 2023, rice, pasta and noodles continued to see retail volume growth stabilise, as consumer demand normalised in pasta and rice after the fluctuations caused by the pandemic. Nonetheless, with the help of soaring unit prices due to inflation, rice,…

The rice, pasta and noodles category in Bulgaria remained flat in 2023, with only a marginal decline in retail volume sales. Rice continues to be the most significant category, both in value and volume sales, since it has a highly versatile…

Dried pasta and rice are staple products on Colombian tables, offering versatility for various meals and affordability. While they are not the same type of food, both are commonly consumed either on their own or paired with vegetables, meat, or a…

Tariffs on imported rice were reduced by 33% in 2023 leading to a significant rise in imports. In six months, imports of rice pellets (unpeeled rice that is processed) grew by 477%. The main importing companies are Inter-Global (Walmart's logistics…

Plain noodles are key ingredients in many Asian dishes and are therefore seeing strong demand as this cuisine continues to be popular amongst Croatians. Demand also continues to be supported by noodles’ quick preparation time. In addition, given the…

Sales of rice, pasta, and noodles saw a sharp decline in sales in retail volume terms in 2022 with only modest growth seeing seen in 2023. This can be attributed in large part to a stabilisation of demand following the dynamic growth experienced in…

Rice is a staple food in Ecuadorian households and is pivotal in local economies. Weather conditions in Ecuador have a significant impact on rice production, influencing both yields and market dynamics. A particularly potent winter season,…

The consumption of rice, pasta and noodles in Egypt continued to grow during 2023, while big increases in prices fostered dynamic retail current value growth. Despite hikes in prices, amid a highly inflationary climate, the demand rose for affordable…

Like all other categories of staple foods in Finland, rice, pasta and noodles saw a normalising trajectory in terms of the retail-foodservice volume sales split towards the end of the review period. As the threat of and restrictions related to…

Rice, noodles and pasta saw a significant shift towards healthier options in 2023. Irish consumers increasingly sought wholewheat pasta, brown rice and quinoa noodles, reflecting growing awareness of the importance of a balanced diet and the benefits…

Rice has experienced dynamic growth, driven by consumer concerns about the hygiene of unpackaged rice, leading many to opt for packaged rice. In Moroccan diets, while bread remains the primary staple, rice is increasingly becoming the second most…

Retail volume sales of rice, pasta and noodles continued to decline in 2023. This was in the context of a high rate of inflation, which impacted the cost of living and caused consumers to rationalise their spending. While foodservice volumes saw…

The unpackaged trend is gaining momentum with increased sales of unpackaged rice and pasta in both organic and conventional supermarkets. Retailers are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint associated with packaging, attracting…

Staple foods is expected to register healthy current value in 2023, despite continuing economic uncertainty because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, the rise in inflation and tightening monetary policy. While inflation is…

Bolivia has managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar. However, there has been challenges for the economy in 2023, with sharp falls in foreign currency reserves and this…

In 2023, staple foods witnessed a slightly better performance in volume terms, even though consumer demand is beginning to stagnate in response to the country’s population decline, which is reducing the potential consumer base. Most staple food…

Staple foods continues to witness positive growth in 2023, in current value terms, due to high inflation and elevated retail prices. The consumption of staple foods has slowed, resulting in a slight decrease in retail volume sales for the full year.…

Staple foods in Colombia in 2023 is significantly influenced by food price-related issues, inflation, and the country's GDP evolution. The historically high inflation experienced in 2022 continued to be a major concern for all stakeholders in staple…

Inflation continues to impact consumer shopping habits in 2023, with consumers seeking out low prices and private label in the staple foods category, as they look to make grocery budgets stretch further. The government has implemented aggressive…

The sharp price growth in staple foods seen in 2022 has moderated in 2023. Retailers are trying to reduce further oscillations by introducing heavy discounts and gradual price changes. Whilst Croatian consumers remain extremely price sensitive due to…

In 2023, the foodservice industry has shown further signs of recovery, leading to stabilised sales of staple foods, while retail sales have reverted to pre-pandemic patterns. However, due to global political and economic instability, Denmark has…

While Ecuador has maintained one of the lowest inflation rates in the region, a combination of factors has led to upward price pressures in Staple Foods. The rising costs of key ingredients like wheat, oil or butter have continued in 2023, with…

Staple foods in Egypt is projected to see good growth in retail and foodservice volume sales and dynamic growth in retail current value sales over 2023. The steep rise in retail current value sales during 2023 owed much to the increase in prices. The…

As the threat of and restrictions related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis eased and lifted towards the end of the review period, Finnish consumers were again able to move freely and resume their pre-pandemic purchasing and consumption habits. As…

In 2023, packaged staple foods in Ireland saw a significant shift in consumer behaviour and industry dynamics. Traditional favourites such as potatoes, bread, meat, eggs and fish remain the most commonly consumed staple foods. However, increased…

Staple foods in 2023: The big picture

In 2022, commodity prices experienced a historic surge, largely attributed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Moroccan economy faced a significant slowdown due to a combination of drought and inflation, resulting in reduced domestic demand amid…

Retail volume sales of staple foods in the Czech republic suffered a decline in sales in constant value terms in 2023, in the face of the rising cost of living, which curbed consumer spending. The country’s post-pandemic recovery was also derailed by…

In 2023, the landscape of staple foods is marked by several key trends and factors. Volume growth is generally down as households try to buy less and save money due to squeezed incomes. This decline in volume growth is offset by value growth driven…

The bakery industry in the Dominican Republic is mainly composed of microenterprises that are highly vulnerable to any increases in raw material costs due to their limited purchasing power. External factors such as the conflict between Ukraine and…

In 2023, frozen cakes, sweet pies and tarts demonstrated the fastest current value growth in baked goods. Demand for these types of frozen baked goods is growing alongside the faster pace of life in Estonian society, although it remains a niche at…