A study conducted by the Istituto Italiano Alimenti Surgelati (IIAS) shows that after the pandemic, thanks to the new needs of life at home, between smart working and home-cooked meals, almost all Italians (98%) consume frozen products and 1 in 2 (54%) declares to have increased their purchase in the last two years. Among the effects of the growth in frozen food consumption, the surge in sales of freezers (+32% in 2020) and large refrigerators with larger freezers (+40%), to meet new eating habits and needs of consumers in need of more space and efficiency.
61% of Italians declare that they consume frozen foods at least twice a week. The most frequent consumers are the under 35s and families with small children, who in 70% of cases bring frozen food to the table more than 2 times a week. This is the unpublished photograph, taken by the IIAS – Italian Institute of Frozen Foods in collaboration with BVA-Doxa, which has investigated the new trends in the sector that have emerged from 2020 to today.
More than 7 out of 10 Italians (74%) declare that in the last two years they have put frozen products never tried before in their freezer, tasting a little of all types. Vegetable, fish and frozen pizzas are confirmed as “must have” products, even after Covid. But with some differences: vegetables are more loved by singles without children (44%), while fish has conquered more and more space on the tables of families with small children (40%).
Practicality (70%), but also the possibility of changing the menu often (37%) and reducing waste (25%) are the main drivers that have pushed consumers to increase the purchase of frozen food, which has also registered growth online: approximately + 21% only in 2021.