Something for Each Consumer

Frozen Packaged Burgers

Frozen burgers have gone through an evolution from being a simple meal alternative to a diverse product category which meets various needs of the consumers.

This has been helped by the growing culture of grilling, be it in the indoors or outdoors. The consumer now expects frozen burgers to provide restaurant style food with the added benefit of easy preparation. This has led to the manufacturers increasing the variety of products that they offer and going beyond the normal beef patties.

Food industry analysis, especially from IMARC, shows how the increasing food and beverage industry is boosting the sales of pre-packaged burgers. The convenience food market is thus growing at a fast pace owing to the shift in the lifestyle of the consumers and the increasing need for food that can be prepared and served quickly.

It is evident that restaurants, fast food outlets, and consumers within the households are all playing a part in this. The plant-based burger is the most innovative and fastest-growing category of the frozen burger, and the future looks bright for this segment. According to Future Market Insights, the market is expected to grow from USD5.1bn in 2023 to USD23.2bn by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%. There are several factors that have contributed to this amazing growth.

This is mainly due to the changing consumer trends where consumers are considering plant-based burgers as a healthier option compared to traditional beef patties. These products are usually lower in calories, with less saturated fat and more fiber than the traditional beef patties. Also, environmental concerns are becoming more important in the decision-making of consumers. Concerns for the environment have emerged as key factors influencing the uptake of plant-based burgers.

This has made the consumers understand the environmental impact of traditional beef production which is very negative. Plant-based burgers can therefore be seen as a more environmentally friendly source of protein since they are made using fewer resources and emit far less greenhouse gases per pound than their meat counterparts.

The production of plant-based burgers has also seen some major advancements such as technological improvement. The initial products had some issues with texture and taste, but the current versions have been greatly improved. Such firms as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat can be considered pioneers in this field, which strive to provide consumers with plant-based products that resemble red meat products, including beef burgers in terms of taste, texture, and cooking.

An increase in alternative options

Protein sourcing has also emerged as an important focus area. Soy protein remains the leading product and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 15.6% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2033. This is due to reasons such as the ability of soy protein to provide all the amino acids required by the body and its relatively cheap price.

The cost of production of plant-based burgers may still be higher than that of traditional beef burgers, and such costs may put off the consumers who are conscious of their expenses.

To read the entire article, please access your complimentary e-copy of Frozen Food Europe November-December, 2024 issue here.