Packaged Food: Quarterly Statement Q1 2017

Risk of US recession due to uncertain trade policies to affect NAFTA countries

Despite an upwards revision to the 2017 GDP forecast in the US, packaged food sales are seeing a downgrade, linked to the greater uncertainty brought about by the outcome of the 2016 presidential election and its potential implications for the US economy, which could see a severe recession scenario, albeit a low probability one. This also poses risks for packaged food sales in NAFTA countries, with Mexico being the most vulnerable.

No-deal Brexit risk has heightened uncertainty for the UK, and may also undermine EU growth

In Europe, the main factor driving uncertainty is linked to the potential impact of Brexit, with a no-deal Brexit being a significant risk to packaged food, with major repercussions in the UK, but also across the EU, though to a lesser extent. Categories driven by impulse consumption and premiumisation are likely to be the most impacted, with consumers expected to switch to cheaper variants.

Hard landing risk in China still significant, and could see the packaged food growth engine come to a halt

While China’s economic growth forecast has been slightly upgraded for 2017, the risk of a China hard landing remains a significant threat to packaged food sales growth, with baby food and dairy likely to cease being major growth engines under this scenario, while less mature categories, such as breakfast cereals and ready meals, could be strongly hit by a switch towards substitute products.

Kraft Heinz’s merger bid for Unilever highlights the appetite for large deals in packaged food

In a context of low growth and high uncertainty, the appetite for mergers and acquisitions to sustain growth may pick up among packaged food giants in 2017. As the US stock exchanges have seen robust performances, US players are likely to be most active, as Kraft Heinz’s merger bid for Unilever suggests. With Kraft Heinz likely to seek other mega-deals in 2017, other key packaged food players will remain in the spotlight as the next potential targets.