Whole food brand Essential reports a similar increase, and healthy sales of its ethical and organic ingredients. To mark its Healthy Eating Fortnight from October 18-31 2010, the organic, Fairtrade cooperative commissioned further research into healthy home cooking ingredients. This revealed some interesting trends in nuts, rice and baked beans.
Food industry specialist Helen Lewis was commissioned by Essential to research further key trends in healthy, home cooking ingredients. Despite economic difficulties, Lewis discovered sales of organic food are still three times higher than in 1999 and over 50% higher than five years ago, with 88.3% of households buying some organic food. Fairtrade sales achieved 12% growth in 2009 compared to 2008 (source: Fairtrade Foundation) showing people are also still keen to make ethical purchases.
From her research, Lewis forecasts that UK nut sales will rise from £270.5m in 2005 to £473.4m in 2010, and she predicts they could reach £847.4m in 2015.
“I believe we’ll see a continued and marked growth in nut sales,” says Lewis. “People clearly have a greater interest in nuts as a healthy snack and they’re also using them in more home-cooked, authentic Asian recipes. But what’s interesting is the range of rice being consumed. Wild, Arborio and Basmati are all examples of more adventurous varieties being enjoyed.”
Lewis believes rice sales will increase from £205.2m in 2005 to £368.0m in 2010, and she predicts they could reach £553.3m in 2015.
Baked beans remain one of the nation’s favourite foods, with 81% of Britons buying them (source: Mintel).
“Finding baked beans in eight out of 10 homes is no great surprise,” admits Lewis. “However, what’s interesting to see are the lower sugar, lower salt varieties such as Essential’s fun, ‘pop art’ baked beans making their mark and enjoying increased sales as people select a healthier version of this firm family favourite.
“Vegetarian and vegan diets continue to prove popular, and this trend is further fuelled by the growing number of ‘meat avoiders’, or people who have one or more vegetarian or vegan meals each week.”
Lewis predicts that sales are likely to rise from £698.5m in 2005 to £820.9m in 2010, and possibly as high as £1250.5m by 2015.
Source: Food&drink Towers
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