Increasing Health Awareness to Shape Product Development in Chilled and Deli Foods Industry

Chilled and deli foods, which include prepackaged foods such as sandwiches, salads, and various meat products, have enjoyed a growing demand in the last few decades. The convenience of prepackaged food, which can be prepared within a short time, has become immensely appealing to not just people migrating in search of better job prospects and education, but also homemakers and families who can’t afford to spend the time required to prepare fresh home-cooked meals.

Even though the nutritional quotient of chilled and deli foods is not sufficient to be sustainable, efforts are being made by major players to improve it. These are likely to be driven by the increasing health awareness across the world, which has led to a large part of the consumer demographic choosing healthier alternatives to chilled foods. According to Transparency Market Research, the global chilled and deli foods market’s annual revenue is expected to be US$853.5 bn by the end of 2016 and further rise to US$988.7 bn by 2021.

Which region presents the most attractive prospects for the chilled and deli foods industry?

Due to the rapid urbanization observed in Asia Pacific and better job and educational prospects in cities, the APAC market is the focus of the key players in the global chilled and deli foods industry. Due to the poverty in rural parts of Asia Pacific, working professionals often migrate to cities without their immediate family, which creates the need for chilled and other types of prepackaged foods. This is a key driver for the Asia Pacific chilled and deli foods market, which is expected to account for around 40% of the global market by 2021.

Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/chilled-and-deli-food-market.html

Due to the growing availability of junk food in Asia Pacific and the consequent increase in diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, the population has also become more health-conscious. A study done by South Korea’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention found that Korean teenagers now consumed half as much junk food as they did a decade ago. While this is not the case in many Asia Pacific countries, particularly ones in which international junk foods have entered only recently, governmental healthcare bodies are becoming more concerned about the impact of junk food on their national health scenario. This drop in junk food consumption bodes well for chilled and deli foods manufacturers focusing on improving the nutrition quotient of their products.

Which are the key product segments of the chilled and deli foods market?

Prepackaged sandwiches and prepackaged salads are the leading revenue generators in the global chilled and deli foods market, illustrating the impact of the rising health awareness on the chilled and deli foods market. The variety of fillings and toppings available in prepackaged sandwiches and salads also makes them attractive for the consumer, while manufacturers can use their high nutritional quotient to set their products apart from the competition.

The key players in the global chilled and deli foods market include Kraft Foods Group Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Waitrose Limited, JBS S.A., BRF S.A., Samworth Brothers Limited, Sisters Food Group, and Astral Foods Ltd.

What Does 2016 Hold for the Canned Food Sector, Nutraceuticals Industry, and Chilled Foods Market?

If 2015 was all about food fads such as Greek yogurt and fermented food occupy supermarket shelves, the food industry will see the trends shifting in 2016. Food industry experts expect that the coming year will shine the spotlight on snacking boxes, gourmet heritage cuisine, artisan olive oils, and savory desserts. Most recently, social media site Pinterest released a list of top food trends based on trending topics in the food industry. The list shows that artisanal, gourmet, and DIY will be the buzzwords in the food sector in the coming year.

Based on recent market research data, here are the trends that will make a real impact on the food industry in 2016:

• Demand for BPA-free will intensify as consumers want clean-label products. While consumers in hitherto underserved countries are now waking up to the convenience and budget-friendliness of canned and preserved food as compared to fresh food, there are several concerns about BPA from the can lining migrating into food. Several consumer campaigns are already pressing for major food brands worldwide to find safer alternatives to chemicals used in canned and preserved foods. This trend will gain traction in several developing countries as well, and the time for companies to act is now.
• Nutraceuticals foods will see greater demand. This space will be interesting to watch as wellness foods allow both food manufacturers and certain pharmaceutical companies to re-work their synergies and enter a new business space. However, the stringent regulatory environment being created around the nutraceuticals industry, coupled with waning consumer confidence in synthetic ingredients, will necessitate better compliance and better labeling on the part of companies in the market.
• The chilled and deli foods market is being defined by the growing demand for convenience food products. As lifestyles of consumers in recently urbanized nations and regions mimic western lifestyles and eating habits, the chilled and deli foods segment will emerge as a highly lucrative one. However, companies will have to cut back on the use of synthetic ingredients and show greater commitment to clean labels. With supermarkets and hypermarkets making a foray into emerging economies, the time is ripe for the growth of the chilled and deli foods market.

At the same time, the trend of gourmet and artisanal food and beverages will spread across newer regions. Traditional cuisine and dishes will receive a touch of gourmet in the year to come.