Cooking Ingredients and Meals

Remote and hybrid working models are shifting consumption habits towards more flexible patterns of eating at more convenient times, with the impact of rising living costs on consumer confidence and household spending levels also supporting these…

The variety of formats and brands available for pasta sauces has increased over the past few years, with newer options including Kern’s 435g jars, Naturas 430g jars, Great Value and Rao’s 680g jars; Sabemas stand-up pouches; Del Monte and Contadina…

Ketchup continues to lead in cooking and table sauces in the Dominican Republic. Brands are innovating by introducing stand-up pouches that provide greater convenience for consumers, such as from the likes of Gourmet, Linda, Heinz and Famosa.…

Private label continues to gain prominence within sauces, dips and condiments. Ecuador's largest retailer, Corporación Favorita, has a range of private label options including Akí and Supermaxi, as well as La Original, which is the cheapest option…

Despite its maturity, ketchup is witnessing robust growth as lower-quality value offerings gain traction in the category. The surge in retail prices has created a favourable environment for domestic producers, supporting cheaper brands, such as B&B…

Powders are replacing cubes as the preferred format for stock in Peru. Consumers prefer powders for reasons of practicality, as they are perceived to be easier to use and dissolve. They also come in smaller pack sizes and can be bought in single unit…

Sauces, dips and condiments registered a low increase in retail volume terms in 2023, with supply levels normalising after the fluctuations seen in 2021 and 2022. The rising cost of raw materials has been an issue for manufacturers, as well as custom…

Following impressive growth during the first half of the review period, chocolate spreads in Argentina saw retail volume sales contract in 2022. While the rate of decline has slowed, the category is poised to register another negative performance in…

Sweet spreads are expected to register a decrease in volume sales in 2023. Part of this decline is due to the widespread availability of smuggled sweet spreads in outdoor markets. Smuggling has increased significantly in recent years. Bolivia’s fixed…

Retail sales of sweet spreads are seeing growth boosted in Colombia in 2023 by the expansion of consumption opportunities, with consumers increasingly choosing to use chocolate spreads as ingredients in the preparation of home-made desserts and…

Honey is expected to register the highest current value growth, Consumers perceive honey as a healthy option as it is a natural product which is rich in minerals, vitamins and trace elements and as such honey continues to perform well. That being…

Jams and preserves is the largest category by volume with the majority of production originating from local companies that use well-known and popular fruits. While some imported brands are available in the Dominican Republic, they are less prevalent…

Historically, chocolate spreads have been an expensive option for Ecuadorians and is usually only found in modern retail channels where shoppers tend to have higher purchasing power. As a result, chocolate spreads have been inaccessible to a large…

The jams and preserves category holds significant importance in terms of retail volume sales, following substantial growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, volume growth has returned to normal rates with retail prices stabilising. Local brands…

Chocolate spreads maintained its growth in 2023, in contrast to other categories within sweet spreads, which registered high growth rates during the COVID-19 crisis, but then saw sales fall away as life returned to normal and people started going…

Jams and preserves remains the largest category in sweet spreads, registering a slight contraction in retail volume terms in 2023. The decline can be explained by a rise in the number of Uruguayans crossing the border into Argentina in order to buy…

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…

Retail demand for cooking ingredients and meals experienced a slowdown in 2022 during a period of high inflation. Throughout the year, the intensification of a phenomenon locally known as the “hourglass” effect was evident. It divided consumers into…

The recent trajectory of edible oils in Brazil brings with it dynamics influenced by both the consumption of a product predominantly manufactured abroad, such as olive oil, and by its commodity-like characteristics, as seen in soy oil. The average…

Economic uncertainty in 2022 impacted access not only to high-value products in Brazil but also to basic items for various consumer groups in the country. The inflationary process triggered by macroeconomic policies, combined with external shocks to…