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The U.S. frozen foods market in question.

A recent report gives some interesting figures to reflect the U.S. frozen food market.
According to a report entitled Frozen Foods in the U.S.: Hot Meals, Sides, and Snacks, 6th Edition published by Packaged Facts, the sales of frozen foods have been steady since 2012.

Nevertheless, Packaged Facts underlines the consumer growing demand for fresh foods, which can explain why the frozen foods market is flat, and doesn't grow. Besides, the report analyzes four key frozen food categories:
  • Frozen dinners or entrĂ©es.
  • Frozen pizzas.
  • Frozen side dishes.
  • Frozen appetizers or snacks.
These products sales are estimated at $22 billion in 2016, which is almost identical to the sales total four years prior. But Packaged Facts projects that sales of frozen foods in these categories over the 2016-2021 period will experience a negative compound annual growth rate of -1.2%, going from over $22 billion to around $21 billion. This figure was estimated thanks to different sources: IRI (an American market research company which provided figures from supermarkets, grocery stores, drug-stores and mass merchandisers), and two surveys analysing consumer behavior.

The report also gives interesting figures about the consumer preferences in frozen foods. In addition to the four items above mentioned, the report evokes:
  • Frozen vegetables (consumed in three out of four U.S. households).
  • Frozen potatoes (consumed in 60% of U.S. households).
  • Packaged frozen hot meal (bought by 90% of consumers).

According to Packaged Facts, frozen foods consumed as hot meal are considered to be more affordable and convenient in comparison with their refrigerated or fresh counterparts. But quality and healthfulness have also risen in importance for the consumer: convenience may therefore play a less decisive role that might be expected.

The report underlines the "robust investment in product innovation, which includes developing bold and unique flavors, varieties inspired by world cuisines [...] and products with cleaner labels and healthier nutrition profile", to adapt the products to the consumer demand and behavior.