As foodservice outlets are reopening around the world, frozen pasta suppliers aim to satisfy the growing desire for products that address health concerns, such as gluten-free diets. Still, sales of frozen pasta remain relatively low when compared to other segments such as fresh or chilled pasta.
Figures from Statista predict that, after touching USD123bn in 2021, global sales of pasta will continue to grow by 2.35% per year over the next four years. According to data from Unione Italiana Food, 2020 was a golden year for both domestic consumption and exports. Over 50 million more packages were sold in the country, with peaks of around +40% in March and +10% between October and November, and exports grew by 16% to over EUR3.1bn. The US has become the world’s largest consumer of Italian pasta, thanks to a record +40%, overtaking France (+4.3%) and Germany (+16%).
On the other hand, the global foodservice pasta market reached a value of USD4.65bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD5.9bn by 2027, exhibiting at a CAGR of 3.4% during that period, according to a recent study by IMARC. The expanding foodservice sector, along with the rising trend of take-outs and home deliveries, is primarily driving the demand for foodservice pasta on a global level. In line with this, growing consumer preferences for hassle-free, nutritious, and hygienic food that is readily available, are further augmenting the market for foodservice pasta. Furthermore, the study shows, the growing prominence of specialized foodservice outlets that serve authentic pasta dishes is positively influencing the global market.
Besides this, the rising adoption of online channels by several brick-and-mortar food chains for doorstep food delivery is also bolstering the demand. The emergence of healthy pasta variants, such as organic, vegan, gluten-free, low-calorie, etc., across foodservice outlets is also expected to drive the global market in the coming years. The pasta was one of the favorites in the shopping cart during the 2020 lockdowns. The possibility of cooking more at home has undoubtedly strengthened the self-esteem of many Italians who have tried innovative recipes and products “different from the usual” continuing to feel like “home-based” chefs, according to a report by HostMilano.
There was a drive to buy special products for gratification and enjoyment, also relying sometimes on deep-frozen fresh pasta, a practical alternative to the homemade one, that is still particularly appreciated for its appearance, flavor, and texture similar to the hand-made production. Deep-frozen fresh pasta has been very appreciated also internationally, thanks to its below-zero storage that allowed many production companies to cross the Italian borders, with the guarantee of exporting a product without preservatives, good and healthy.
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