Growing fast-paced lives that call for more convenience, as well as improvements in food processing and packaging techniques, are driving the demand for frozen fruits & vegetables. These developments have given consumers additional alternatives by enabling a wider variety of fruits & vegetables to be frozen without compromising on the texture or flavor. By Marketsandmarkets
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that over the previous ten years, frozen fruits & vegetables have become more widely available. Compared to little over 1,000 items in 2009, the USDA claimed that there were over 1,600 different frozen fruit & vegetable products available in the US market in 2019.
The past couple of years have demonstrated a change in consumer behavior, with a notable shift toward frozen and ready-to-eat products. With more full-time working individuals and less cooking time, there has been an increase in the need for convenience, which can be ascribed to this shift. In addition to being used in these ready-to-eat goods, these frozen fruits & vegetables are also consumed by end users. Convenience is of paramount importance; pre-cut frozen fruits & vegetables assist to cut down on cooking time. A fast-paced lifestyle and increasing affluence have triggered on-the-go consumption. Moreover, the younger generation is driving the demand for frozen vegetables and fruits coupled with the growing demand for exotic and seasonal fruits & veggies that can be made available with the help of freezing technology. Also, increased focus on vegan and organic diets contributes to the market growth.
Apart from fruits & vegetables, herbs have also witnessed a sharp rise in popularity due to health and wellness reasons. Apart from being stable in many cuisines around the world, these herbs are incorporated in many food & beverage items due to their perceived health benefits. In 2023, Bigelow Tea (US) and Stony Creek Brewery (US) collaborated to produce two tea-infused beers. No Comment and Carpe Tea-em are the names of the new brew. The goal of this launch was to take advantage of the rising demand for unique flavors. Exotic herbs are projected to be in high demand due to the rising wellness culture among younger people and their increased propensity for health and fitness. Moreover, spices and herbs are crucial ingredients for the worldwide food & beverage business.
Plant-derived medicines have long been used in Asian countries for a variety of purposes. The frozen herbs market has gained commercial traction globally in the last 10 to 15 years, owing to an increase in diseases caused by synthetic and chemical-based products such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, significant investment in plant-derived nutritional and health products is expected to bring promising opportunities for the market.
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