Africa

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Preparing and eating more meals at home meant that cooking ingredients and meals saw a spike in demand when the pandemic hit Middle East and Africa in 2020. However, in recent years, including 2023, volume sales have been struggling in the face of…

In 2023, cooking ingredients and meals has fully recovered from the destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, the industry now faces a new set of challenges. The international global fuel hikes and shortages have resulted…

Price remains a pivotal factor during 2023 and continues to shape consumer choices. Consumers persist in making decisions, leaning towards more economical and affordable brands. Edible oils remain central to cooking, but retail sales dipped due to…

Edible oils continue to dominate cooking ingredients and meals. Demand is gradually shifting from palm oil to sunflower oil, as the latter is regarded as healthier by a growing number of local consumers. Meanwhile, stock cubes and powders and…

Demand continued to increase across most categories of cooking ingredients and meals in 2023 despite significant average unit price increases as high inflation eroded consumer spending power. General economic development, urbanisation and the spread…

In 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a strong factor in the performance of cooking ingredients and meals, with the category now being impacted by global inflation instead. However, the annual inflation rate dropped to 11% in April 2023, the…

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…

Honey is experiencing a surge in demand in Tunisia in 2023, with volume sales recording double-digit growth in the year. This performance can be attributed to a new strategy adopted by local companies, who have shifted from selling unpackaged honey…

Despite maintaining retail volume growth throughout the pandemic and its aftermath, sweet spreads is set to turn to slight decline in 2023, although dynamic current value growth is still expected, due to price rises. Apart from the rising price of…

Sweet spreads recorded a strong volume decline in 2023, having already experienced decline in 2022. Inflationary conditions caused by depreciation of the local currency as well as sharp rises in fuel prices and a Federal Government demonetisation…

Over 2023, sweet spreads is set to rebound, albeit marginally, from the slight decline in retail volume sales in 2022. Stagnation is due mainly to the strong retail volume decline in honey and only moderate growth in the main category, jams and…

Local brands such as Peptang and Zesta continue to maintain their dominant presence in sweet spreads. Their success can be attributed to their extensive distribution networks and competitive pricing when compared to imported products. These homegrown…

Sweet spreads is facing the same cross-category challenges which create huge value spikes due to skyrocketing unit prices in the inflationary context, along with low consumer spending power meaning a crash in volume sales. In the case of sweet…

Chocolate spreads remains by far the largest product area among sweet spreads, with Tartina by Chococam being the best seller. It also offers Choconut. Affordable pricing, an extensive distribution network and a long-standing presence has built up…

Tomato paste is witnessing a notable price increase (up to 11%) in 2023 as a result of a surge in production costs due to rising labour and energy costs, and investment in processing facilities. Tomato price increases due to adverse weather…

Despite the expectation of a notable retail volume decline for overall sauces, dips and condiments in 2023, as consumers have been reducing their spending on non-essential grocery items, recipe sauces is set to experience moderate growth, as…

Sauces, dips, and condiments declined notably in volume terms in 2023 despite the essential status of many of the products in the category. Higher prices caused largely by the deprecation of the local currency had a negative impact on volume and…

Tomato shortages in 2022 due to low local production and soaring prices of fresh tomatoes prompted many consumers to switch to packaged tomato pastes and purées towards the end of the review period. The drought and the severe cold winter weather…

Stock cubes have cemented their status as essential staple ingredients in households, regardless of income levels. Surprisingly, this demand remains on the rise even in the face of strong price increases. One noteworthy brand in this segment is…