Free from packaged food, which had been recording positive value growth throughout the earlier years of the review period, registered declining sales in 2020. Dairy products do not have such rigid demand as some of the other areas in free from, and consumers became more price-conscious due to the impact of COVID-19, switching to cheaper packaged...
Although COVID-19 caused significant disruption in New Zealand in the first year of the pandemic, the retail performance largely normalised in 2021 due to the country’s success in controlling the virus. Since the first cases were reported in February 2020, a four-level alert level system was introduced on 21 March 2020 to manage the outbreak....
Free from lactose will remain the largest category within free from packaged food in current value terms in 2021 and will continue to see dynamic growth from an already high base. Free from lactose dairy products (namely milk, cream, and cheese) account for most of the free from lactose sales. Free From in Italy report tracks the developments...
The free from category remains fairly niche in Morocco and is mainly represented by free from allergens. However, shelf representations of free from dairy packaged foods is growing in modern grocery retailers including Marjane, Carrefour and Aswak Assalam. Thanks to this, consumers are now better able to recognise the different free from dairy...
Portuguese consumers were already seeking healthier habits, including those regarding their diet, prior to the emergence of the pandemic. In 2021, this trend has intensified. COVID-19 has led to heightened awareness amongst Portuguese consumers about the importance of a balanced diet for general good health and as a preventive way to support...
In 2021, free from witnessed an acceleration in current value growth. This is in part due to the growing availability of free from lactose dairy products, such as milk, and free from gluten goods such as pasta. In recent years, producers such as Pinar and Icim have been expanding their range of free from lactose drinking milk products, such...
Free from will remain the best performing HW packaged food category in Sweden in 2021 with consumers continuing to focus on their health and diet during the pandemic. The free from category also benefits from being perceived as a lifestyle choice which means that consumers who choose free from products are very loyal to the category; this...
The enhanced perception towards the quality of daily diets brought by the restrictions of the pandemic has created space for products with a premium positioning to enter new occasions as part of consumers’ meals. Among higher-income consumers, a movement towards upgrading items as they explored new ingredients and subsequently new nutritional...
Free from packaged food maintained strong growth in 2021. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of economic uncertainty, consumers with food intolerances continued to require free from food. Diets focused on plant-based products in particular gathered momentum on a global basis, with Portugal being no exception. Free...
The performance of free from dairy in Thailand has been supported mainly by milk alternatives during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Milk alternatives are perceived to be higher in nutrients and lower in fat compared to cow’s milk. They are also suitable for vegans, consumers with lactose intolerance and people with concerns over hormones...