Staple Foods

After a pandemic-induced spike in retail demand for staple foods in Latin America in 2020, growth slowed in real value terms and declined in volume terms in 2021 in the face of a strong foodservice rebound. Post-2021, the volume performance has been…

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…

The ongoing inflationary process that has hit the Brazilian economy in the past few years started to cool in 2023, as various food categories experienced a deflationary process for many items throughout the year. The Brazilian market context can been…

The price of rice, pasta, and noodles in Brazil over 2022 was mainly impacted by worldwide production challenges, international trade, freight constraints and local macroeconomic outcomes. The cost-of-living crisis as a result of inflation placed…

The lingering impact that the pandemic had on consumers’ behaviour remains clear in Brazil. With the high inflationary process resulting from misguided policies to international price variations, some animal-based proteins witnessed soaring unit…

Throughout 2023, food inflation in Brazil eased, although some prices of consumer goods continued at higher levels. Budgetary constraints continued to pose barriers to consumption, especially of fresh fruit and vegetables. Therefore, low and…

In 2023, demand for breakfast cereals in Brazil was impacted by higher input costs that were also observed in different consumer goods categories, especially due to wheat and corn prices, freight constraints and other inputs. The cost-of-living…

Baked goods in Brazil during 2022 was impacted by higher input prices that were also observed in different consumer goods categories, especially for wheat prices, freight constraints and other inputs. Although Brazilian wheat production recorded…

In 2023, staple foods has registered a marginal decrease in retail volume terms as consumers reduce consumption in order to save money. High prices remain an issue for Uruguayans and this is impacting negatively on demand. Furthermore, the…

In 2023, rice and pasta registered a decline in retail volume sales, as consumers were deterred by higher retail prices. Rising international cost have plagued dried and fresh pasta in particular, forcing manufacturers to raise prices. Another…

In 2023, many Uruguayans are travelling across the border into Argentina to purchase more affordable shelf-stable meat and seafood, as well as cheaper chilled processed red meat. This trend has had a negative impact on local sales in Uruguay, as…

In 2023, the drought and scarcity of safe water sources in Uruguay has compelled locals to make changes to their dietary choices, replacing fresh vegetables and fruit with frozen and shelf stable options. With the ongoing challenges of washing fresh…

In 2023, sales of breakfast cereals declined in retail volume and current value terms. The increase in prices, as well as the required health labels, warning about excess levels of sugar, has reduced demand for breakfast cereals. Children´s breakfast…

Packaged leavened bread registered a further contraction in retail volume sales in 2023, as strong price increases were brought about by rising costs. Demand has also been curbed by the many Uruguayans crossing the border into Argentina in order to…

Panama’s sales of staple foods are buoyed by extensive urbanisation, the rise of modern grocery retailers and wider product selection. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles, Russia’s invasion of…

Peru has been contending with a steady escalation in prices since 2021, a situation exacerbated in 2022 and 2023, affecting a wide array of consumer goods and services. The country's significant reliance on imported products and supplies means that…

Volume sales of staple foods saw slow growth in 2023 while values rose due to inflationary pressures. The normalisation of lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic reduced the home cooking trend and lowered demand for products such as shelf stable…

Staples foods is expected to expected to register current value and volume growth, though inflation continues to hit companies’ profitability, with constant value growth expected to be more muted.

Volume sales of staple foods saw slow growth in 2023 while values rose due to inflationary pressures. The normalisation of lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic reduced the home cooking trend and lowered demand for products such as shelf stable…

The overall inflation rate in the Dominican Republic has decreased in 2023 and is projected to close at 4.9%, compared to 9.5% in 2022, marking a significant decline in price increases. However, inflation continues to impact various staple foods…

Rice, pasta and noodles in Peru has been experiencing significant growth in unit prices, primarily driven by rising manufacturing and distribution costs. Contributing factors include increased commodity prices, notably for wheat due to Russia's…

Rice continues to register price rises, but to a lesser extent than other staple products. Rice, as well as pasta, are seen as affordable staples and are consumed daily. There is also a wide range of brands available, across varying price points, and…

The price increase in the rise, pasta and noodles category has not been as sharp as in other staple foods categories, therefore volume growth has remained steady throughout 2023. Rice and pasta, being low-cost products, have benefited from…

In Peru, the political and economic instability, coupled with high inflation and reduced employment levels, has fostered the growth of chilled processed red meat. These economic challenges have led consumers to seek more cost-effective alternatives…

Following significant price increases in 2022, prices continue to rise in 2023, albeit at a lower rate. The implementation of the government’s zero tariff policy for basic basket goods to bring some relief to the country’s most vulnerable consumers…

Processed meat and seafood is expected to register a fall in constant value sales and minimal volume growth, as inflation continues to hit profit margins. Prices continue to rise as pressures from energy bills, transport, labour costs and the cost of…

Processed fruits and vegetables in Peru is demonstrating a notable trend: unlike other packaged food categories, it has not experienced significant price increases. This relative price stability has helped to slow down the decline in volume sales…

Processed fruit and vegetables is expected to register healthy growth in 2023, both in terms of constant value and volume growth. Products such as shelf stable black beans, which account for most volume sales, are economical and nutritious and appeal…

The relentless surge in prices has significantly impacted processed fruit and vegetables, resulting in a notable slowdown in retail volume growth across the categories, with consumers shifting towards fresh produce in search of better prices. The…

Breakfast cereals in Peru has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, marked by rapid price increases. With inflation rates in this category surpassing the national average, and a rise in poverty levels since the pandemic, Peruvian…

Breakfast cereal is expected to register moderate volume growth, but marginal constant value growth, as inflation continues to hit profit margins. Imported brands in particular are hit by price rises as pressures from energy bills, transport, labour…

A sustained increase in prices has hindered the recovery of breakfast cereals. Double-digit price increases were recorded in 2022, and inflation continues to impact all categories in 2023, especially children’s cereals and muesli and granola.…

Baked goods remains on its downward trajectory in terms of volume sales in 2023, primarily due to significant price increases and changing weather patterns. Inflation is a major contributor, resulting in bread prices soaring by over 20% in the last…

Baked good is expected to register both moderate constant value and volume growth in 2023, in spite of continuing high inflation. Flat breads used for tortilla continues to account for most volume sales. However, prices have increased in 2023, and…

The bakery industry in the Dominican Republic is mainly composed of microenterprises that are highly vulnerable to any increases in raw material costs due to their limited purchasing power. External factors such as the conflict between Ukraine and…

While Ecuador has maintained one of the lowest inflation rates in the region, a combination of factors has led to upward price pressures in Staple Foods. The rising costs of key ingredients like wheat, oil or butter have continued in 2023, with…

Inflation continues to impact consumer shopping habits in 2023, with consumers seeking out low prices and private label in the staple foods category, as they look to make grocery budgets stretch further. The government has implemented aggressive…

Staple foods in Colombia in 2023 is significantly influenced by food price-related issues, inflation, and the country's GDP evolution. The historically high inflation experienced in 2022 continued to be a major concern for all stakeholders in staple…

Bolivia has managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar. However, there has been challenges for the economy in 2023, with sharp falls in foreign currency reserves and this…

Rice is a staple food in Ecuadorian households and is pivotal in local economies. Weather conditions in Ecuador have a significant impact on rice production, influencing both yields and market dynamics. A particularly potent winter season,…

Tariffs on imported rice were reduced by 33% in 2023 leading to a significant rise in imports. In six months, imports of rice pellets (unpeeled rice that is processed) grew by 477%. The main importing companies are Inter-Global (Walmart's logistics…

Dried pasta and rice are staple products on Colombian tables, offering versatility for various meals and affordability. While they are not the same type of food, both are commonly consumed either on their own or paired with vegetables, meat, or a…

Rice is expected to register positive current value and volume growth in 2023. Rice is an important staple in the Bolivian diet, having one of the highest consumption rate in the region. However, it was protected from global inflationary pressure, as…

Since the beginning of 2023, packaged food brands are required to incorporate health warning black seals on their packaging, indicating an excess content of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

Convenience stores continue to grow their portfolio of processed meat, seafood, and alternatives to meat in 2023. Convenience store chains like Fresh Market offer both imported and local products, with imported brands bringing innovative options to…

The landscape for shelf-stable seafood is primarily led by canned tuna and canned sardine sales. During the outbreak of COVID-19, canned tuna gained popularity due to its affordability, versatility, and extended shelf life, making it a reliable…

Shelf stable seafood is mainly imported and is expected to be impacted by inflationary pressure in 2023. While Bolivia had managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar,…

Frozen potatoes has witnessed a substantial expansion within the modern retail sector, characterised by the wide offerings of various brands. The increase in brand options has heightened consumer interest, fostering a competitive landscape that…

Retail volume sales of processed fruit and vegetables enjoyed a strong increase in retail volume sales in 2023, compared to the previous year. While fresh produce offers its own benefits, frozen fruits and vegetables are a preferred choice for many…

In 2023, among all the staple foods, processed fruit and vegetables experienced the most challenging sales performance. The primary factor behind this sales decline was the remarkable stability, and even occasional price reductions, in fresh fruit…