In this issue of Frozen Food Europe, we take a deep dive into some of the most popular frozen categories, including frozen pasta and noodles, and frozen pizza.
Both are closely tied to Italian cuisine – which is why you can also read about the state of the industry in the Peninsula – but have long gained their place as products that foodservice operators or consumers hold in high regard. We then move to the technical side of things, where we explore the machines that make the categories mentioned above available to a wide range of manufacturers and retailers.
We are also covering the 28th European Cold Chain Conference which took place in Copenhagen in March 2025, through a report by Julie Hanson, Global Cold Chain Alliance’s Director for Europe.
Finally, we look at what happened at PLMA’s World of Private Label and iba. The former demonstrated, as it does each year, the industry’s high appetite for private labels and for the high stream of innovations that enter the segment. According to PLMA’s latest Circana Unify+ data, private label sales reached a record USD271bn in 2024, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This growth outpaced national brands, which saw a 1% rise in dollar sales. Notably, store brands achieved all-time highs in both unit and dollar market share, with unit market share at 22.9% and dollar market share at 20.4% as of June 16, 2024.
It’s no wonder, then, that a multinational survey of over 1,000 retailers and manufacturers revealed a strong positive outlook for the private label sector over the next five years. Executives cited product innovation, sustainability, and strong retailer-manufacturer partnerships as key factors contributing to this optimistic perspective.
Will private labels keep on gaining ground? Read all about in your complimentary e-copy of Frozen Food Europe May-June, 2025 issue here.