Western Europe

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,…

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,…

Processed fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre, are becoming increasingly popular as part of a balanced diet and overall wellbeing. Moreover, these products cater to the growing demand for plant-based…

Like other categories of staple foods, processed fruit and vegetables continued to see a normalisation of volume sales in 2023. This followed the channels shifts seen during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, when foodservice volume sales plummeted…

Organic food is popular among Danish consumers, with it being seen to embody a blend of quality, health, and environmental responsibility. They typically often associate organic products with fewer pesticides, better nutritional value, and a lower…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

Consumers are increasingly viewing breakfast cereal as a healthy option, driving the growth of muesli and granola while hindering the expansion of children's cereals, which tend to be high in sugar. In response to this, manufacturers of children's…

In 2023, breakfast cereals saw a significant shift towards online sales, a trend that was largely driven by the rise of e-commerce and home delivery services. The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in this transition, as local consumers…

Breakfast cereals witnessed the normalisation of demand towards the end of the review period as foodservice continued to bounce back from the devastating impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As foodservice volume sales rebounded, retail…

Breakfast cereals, along with most packaged food categories, faced notable price hikes in 2022, precipitated by high inflation and wheat shortages. Thus, the category saw double-digit growth in current value terms in 2022 but a slight decline in…

Bread continues to be perceived as a fundamental staple, offering affordability and nutritional value. It remains a popular choice for lunch, serving as the primary mealtime option, closely followed by breakfast. Despite the emergence of alternative…

Baked goods has seen a significant shift in consumer preferences, with an increasing demand for plant-based and vegan alternatives over traditional products. This trend is primarily fuelled by the growing awareness of the health and environmental…

Baked goods saw increasing unit prices driven by inflation and growing production costs in 2023. The category also continued to see a normalising of demand, as volume sales moved back to foodservice and away from retail as the Coronavirus (COVID-19)…

The health and wellness movement continues to drive demand for organic and eco-friendly products within baked goods. Even though many Danes are on the lookout for cost-effective options, they are increasingly open to paying a premium for products…

Rising production costs due to the energy crisis, labour shortages, and the increasing price of raw materials across the entire supply chain led to strong rises in the prices of staple foods in 2022. High single-digit price increases are also…

Staple foods in Spain has experienced stagnation in retail volume terms, albeit with a slight improvement compared to the decline seen in the previous year. The lack of movement in retail volume terms largely relates to the significant impact of…

Overall, 2023 was a challenging year for the staple foods sector in Italy, characterised by stagnation in retail sales volumes. However, the market saw considerable current value growth driven by persistent inflationary pressure. During the second…

Sales of staple foods have been negatively impacted by the elevated inflation that hit France in late 2022 and early 2023. As a result, the vast majority of prices went up across staple foods with volume sales either showing minimal growth or even…

In the wake of a tumultuous 2022, beleaguered by soaring inflation and a difficult agricultural season, staple foods in Belgium is enjoying a period of relief in 2023. The previous year's rampant unit price increases cast long shadows, precipitating…

In 2022, rice, pasta and noodles was one of the categories that faced strong price increases due to the supply chain crisis, with wheat and rice shortages putting particular pressure on production costs. Further high single-digit price increases are…