COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the packaged food industry in 2020. Foodservice closures and capacity limitations to prevent the spread of the virus have led to large spikes in retail demand for packaged food, at the expense of foodservice sales. Eating occasions have shifted into the home, and this has changed the way consumers eat...
In New Zealand, sales of packaged food in terms of retail volume and current value are expected to see a strong increase in 2020. Part of the growth is a result of changing consumer habits because of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, such as stockpiling on pantry essentials and changes in lifestyles that resulted in more eating occasions...
In 2020, packaged food in South Korea is recording the strongest current value growth in years. Consumers are again staying at home more frequently as COVID-19 infection rates have climbed again since November, strengthening the home-cooking trend and thus demand for packaged food. The ready meals category gradually increased its sales in...
Prior to the pandemic, one of the most pertinent factors in exerting a negative impact on potential volume growth of packaged food was the contraction of the Japanese population due to a declining birth rate. This was encouraging manufacturers to focus on the development of higher-value products, particularly in mature categories. Packaged...
During 2020, the government of Peru implemented a number of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including several months of lockdown restrictions, where residents were forced to remain at expect for essential travel in order to limit the transmission of the virus in the community. The introduction of the lockdown period saw a spike in...
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the main driver for retail sales growth in basic Brazilian packaged food categories as consumers have prioritised essential household items such as rice, pasta, sauces and dairy products. Consumption of baked goods has been benefiting from home seclusion, as well as a certain amount of stockpiling, during the...
Retail current value sales of packaged food in Tunisia was relatively stable in the face of COVID-19 during 2020, reflecting the fundamental inelasticity of demand for these products. With the exception of hypermarkets, which were forced to close for a brief period, grocery retail outlets have continued to operate without significant disruption. Packaged...
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Austria, the government enforced a lockdown in the country from 16 March, closing non-essential stores while grocery retailers and pharmacies remained open. Foodservice venues had to close for dine-in options; however, takeaway and delivery was permitted, with an increasing number of players offering these...
In 2020, sales of packaged food in Ireland in retail are expected to perform well, anticipated to post higher current value growth than was seen in 2019. Stockpiling during the early months of lockdown heavily encouraged sales of long-expiry products such as canned vegetables, frozen meat, milk formula or dairy. Packaged Food in Ireland...
Overall packaged food is expected to benefit from COVID-19 in 2020, with healthy retail volume growth. Growth in current value sales is expected to be even higher, with double-digit growth rates expected. However, part of this current value growth is driven by inflation. A worsening drought has made many local foods more expensive and imported...