Rice, Pasta and Noodles in Ireland

2020 IMPACT

Rice pasta and noodles benefits from foodservice closures and lockdowns, with an uptick in stockpiling and home-cooking

Lockdowns and foodservice closures in relation to COVID-19, plus the subsequent increase in home-cooking, have positively impacted retail sales in rice, pasta and noodles in Ireland. The category lends itself particularly well to stockpiling per se, as such products can be used for a variety of different meals, take little space to store, and enjoy long shelf lives.

Private label players ramp up their e-commerce offerings to meet growing consumer demand

The e-commerce channel in rice, pasta and noodles is also being boosted by lockdowns, with a higher prevalence of consumers using the internet to order their food shopping. Players are meeting this demand with affordable delivery offers by the largest retailers, such as Tesco and Lidl.

Valeo Foods manages to hold onto its marginal overall lead, as private label competition heats up

Valeo Foods Ltd maintains its company lead in rice, pasta and noodles in 2020, by a very small margin ahead of Boyne Valley Foods Ltd. The player also leads pasta with its Roma brand.

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Dried pasta and plain noodles set to see healthy growth over forecast period thanks to their simplicity

After a small slump in 2021, plain noodles and dried pasta are expected to see particularly healthy growth over the forecast period. Such products represent simplicity and ease of preparation and are perceived as healthy packaged food – all factors which are important for Irish consumers.

Longer expiry dates and home-cooked foreign cuisine set to be major drivers for growth

Longer expiry dates of dry products such as noodles and pasta will further stimulate their sales over the forecast period, as consumers stock up on such staples of cupboard fare. The stronger home-cooking trend is expected to continue, with consumers becoming both more aware of the ingredients they use, as well as becoming more experimental with their recipes.

Larger packaging sizes continue to attract consumers due to economy value and convenience

Larger packs of rice and pasta continue to see popularity with consumers, and this is another trend expected to remain over the forecast period. Consumers are attracted to larger packaging sizes because they offer economy value, as well as convenience for storage and a less regular need to re-stock.