Rice, Pasta and Noodles in Ireland

PROSPECTS

Health continues to be the key driver of sales

Free from gluten pasta and naturally healthy rice saw dynamic performances in 2018, demonstrating the continued importance of perceptions of health. Free from is expected to continue to achieve strong growth as more consumers buy into the concept; naturally healthy rice also expects substantial growth.

Foreign cuisines grow in popularity

Italian food is one of the most popular foreign cuisines in Ireland which may, in part, explain the strong growth that pasta is experiencing, and which looks set to continue. Dunnes Stores Plc has launched an Italian range including fresh pasta which has been heavily promoted.

Convenience helps rice, pasta and noodles sales grow

Apart from health, convenience is also an important aspect that consumers look for when buying food, as time is a big asset in today’s busy world. In this regard, rice, pasta and noodles ticks the box, being products that are easy to prepare and require much less time compared to most home-made meals.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Boyne Valley Foods becomes the new leading player

Boyne Valley Foods Ltd overtook Valeo Foods Ltd as the leading player in rice, pasta and noodles in 2018. It is the leading player in noodles, dominating instant noodles, which accounts for the majority of noodles sales.

Top brands gain value share

Within rice, pasta and noodles, the same five companies occupied the top positions in 2018, with Tesco Ireland Ltd the only private label. The top five players within rice are all branded, despite increasing competition from private label.

Both branded and private label products benefit from health and wellness

In pasta, Dr Schär UK Ltd recorded the largest increase in value sales in 2018 as its product offering is in line with consumer trends, such as the growth in popularity of free from gluten pasta. Tesco Ireland Ltd and Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Ltd recorded growth as consumers are increasingly embracing private label products, having greater access to price comparisons with brands and often believing private label to be better value.

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