Manufacturers need to work harder to meet the demands of 'discerning consumers', EHL said.
Natural food ingredients supplier EHL Ingredients has reported an increase in demand for its speciality barbecue blends.
The UK-based company launched a range of herb and spice blends, rubs, marinades, coatings and seasonings at the end of 2014 that were specifically designed for use on barbecued meat and vegetables. The blends cover cuisines as varied as the American south, Spanish, Mexican, Creole and West Indian.
It has now noticed a 10% increase in demand for the products, which it claimed reflected the growing demand from food manufacturers and retailers for authentic barbecue herbs and spices. The trend has been reported as the UK prepares for National Barbecue Week, which will take place towards the end of May.
EHL Ingredients sales director Tasneem Backhouse said: “Barbecue season has arrived early this year with the recent UK sunshine enticing consumer appetites for summery flavours. Events such as National Barbecue Week help to raise awareness and boost sales of certain ingredients as manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and butchers look for the next big thing in barbecue.
“Authenticity and provenance are key factors for us, and as such we always go the extra mile to ensure that our ingredients are sourced from quality suppliers with full traceability to the country of origin, so consumers can rest assured that the product they are getting is 100% authentic. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, with consumers more discerning than ever before, food manufacturers will need to invest in a quality selection of herbs and spices for barbecue foods to ensure successful end products that consumers will love.”
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