Frozen food market set to grow

Sales of frozen food in retail are set to grow further according to a new report produced using the latest research from Kantar Worldpanel, BRC-Nielsen, Horizons, CGA Strategy and MCA. The Frozen Food Report II, produced by British Frozen Food Federation, states that the value of frozen food sold in the UK in retail is now worth £5.73bn.

The report also predicts that the value of retail sales will continue to grow at between 1% and 2% over the next five years, driven by innovation and demand for convenience.

As well as examining the development of the frozen food market in the last five years, it also highlights the opportunities and challenges it faces in the next five years. It does this by focusing on four broad themes: market growth; changing customer perceptions; food industry drivers; and the future of frozen.

The report highlights how, unlike the vast majority of other market sectors, frozen has succeeded in avoiding price deflation. This is particularly true at the premium and discount ends of the spectrum, a fact that the report puts down to customers’ recognition of the value and quality that frozen products deliver.

This is evidenced by the value growth of a number of a key product categories including pizza, ice cream and frozen vegetables which are all in double digit growth over the last five years.

Commenting on the launch, BFFF Chief Executive, Brian Young said: “The UK’s frozen food industry is a real success story and I am proud to say that, despite a challenging period for the entire food industry, the sector has demonstrated its resilience and has enjoyed solid growth. In the next five years we are set to enjoy further growth as the industry continues to innovate and respond to changing consumer demands.

“The case for frozen food is no longer in dispute thanks in part to BFFF and our members who have built up a significant bank of evidence to promote the nutritional, cost, quality and sustainability benefits of frozen.”