< Previous40 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FROZEN & CHILLED FOODS W ith the cost of living crisis gripping many families, people are turning to frozen and chilled foods more than ever as more cost effective alternatives to fresh ingredients. In fact, the frozen food market is anticipated to expand by 4.2% within the next 5 years. The increased demand has spurred companies to innovate and diversify their offerings to satisfy the increasingly varied tastes of new customers. Whether this be tasty meat and dairy alternatives, low fat and healthy chilled snacks, or a breadth of value ranges, the availability of healthy, appetising, and lower cost frozen offerings has never been greater. Here, we shall explore some frozen food trends that are set to define the market for 2023, and how frozen and chilled food manufacturers can benefit from the current cost of living crisis. One of the key appeals of frozen foods is their convenience. As consumers take on more work to meet rising costs, they struggle to balance work, family, and other responsibilities. This results in having less time and energy to devote to cooking and meal preparation. Frozen foods offer a quick and easy solution, as they can be cooked quickly in the microwave or oven, and require minimal preparation or clean-up. This convenience factor has made frozen foods an increasingly popular choice for busy families and individuals who are looking for ways to save time and reduce their workload. With this understanding, direction for manufacturers should be towards the ready meals market, as consumers want to minimise the time and effort that cooking takes. One of the trends that is expected to emerge in the frozen food industry in 2023 is the use of sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients. As consumers become more environmentally and socially conscious, they are looking for products that align with their A warm reception for frozen and chilled goods Demand for frozen and chilled foods is on the rise in the wake of the cost of living crisis, giving manufacturers of these products a prime opportunity to expand their ranges. 42 Á 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:06 Page 1Food & Drink International 41 www.fdiforum.net FROZEN & CHILLED FOODS © stock.adobe.com/ bodnarphoto 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:06 Page 242 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FROZEN & CHILLED FOODS values. This means that frozen food manufacturers have increased efforts to improve the texture and taste of meat and dairy free offerings. This trend is also being seen in chilled produce, with plant based ingredients spearheading the movement. Plant based burgers, pizzas, and cheeses are currently the most popular options. Recent criticism of a lack of innovation in vegan protein offerings have prompted the emergence of a new protein alternative – fish. Meatier textured fish such as tuna and salmon are growing in popularity, and consumers are showing their appreciation through their wallets. With vegan fish sales steadily increasing, more and more seafood alternatives are expected to hit the shelves. Finally, the trend towards healthier options is expected to continue in the frozen food industry in 2023. Consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and wellness, and they are looking for products that are low in calories, fat, and sugar. Frozen food manufacturers are responding by introducing new products that are specifically designed to be healthy and nutritious, such as vegetable-based snacks and low-calorie meals. This same concern for health is being reflected in trending chilled food offerings. With consumers looking for fresh and healthy options, chilled foods are becoming increasingly popular. Chilled foods offer a longer shelf life than fresh foods, while still maintaining their nutritional value, which makes them a popular choice for many households. This is also driving a growing consumer interest in seasonal and locally sourced produce. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the origin of their food, and they are looking for products that are produced locally and are in season. This means that chilled food manufacturers will need to consider the sourcing and production of their ingredients, as well as the packaging and transportation of their products. Interest in the origin of ingredients also stems from environmental concerns. Fresh ingredients are often imported, creating many more emissions than locally sourced ingredients. Companies are capitalising on this interest by “going green” and adding the health and environmental benefits of their frozen offerings to their packaging. The cost of living crisis has been a major concern for many consumers, as they struggle to balance their household budgets against the rising cost of essentials like housing, utilities, and groceries. In this context, the affordability and convenience of frozen foods have led to an increase in their sales. One of the key reasons why frozen foods have become more popular during the cost of living crisis is their lower price point compared to fresh © stock.adobe.com/dalaxey 44 Á 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:06 Page 3info@munters.co.uk munters.com Improve safety & climate conditions in cold storage Ice, frost and fog in cold stores can create slippery and dangerous conditions. Munters IceDry ® is a specially designed dehumidifier that targets moisture from inside the cold store to create the optimal climate conditions. Suitable for use in manufacturing facilities, cold rooms, cold stores and process freezers, this desiccant dehumidifier is proven to: •Reduce & prevent ice, frost and fog build up on floors, walls and ceilings •Reduce defrosts by up to 1/3 •Lower maintenance requirements and costs •Improve safety for staff, visitors & forklifts •Improve evaporator efficiency •Thousands of proven installations globally CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE SITE SURVEY Example - Before After “The cold store is the best it’s ever been for excessive ice & snow” - Kitchen Range Foods 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:06 Page 4foods. Fresh produce, meat, and dairy products can be expensive, especially when they are out of season or must be imported from abroad. In contrast, frozen foods are often cheaper, as they can be produced and stored in bulk, and do not require expensive transport and storage facilities. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who are looking for ways to save money on their grocery bills. An increase in “value” offerings with cheaper ingredients is expected this year. Finally, the longer shelf life of frozen foods has also contributed to their increased sales during the cost of living crisis. With household budgets stretched to their limits, consumers are looking for ways to reduce waste and make their groceries go further. Frozen foods can be stored for longer periods of time without spoiling, which means that consumers can bulk purchase and use them over several weeks or months. This reduces the need for frequent supermarket trips and helps consumers 44 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FROZEN & CHILLED FOODS to save money by reducing food waste. From this, multi-day meal pack options, or re-sealable bags are becoming increasingly common. Similarly to fresh ingredients schemes like Hello Fresh, consumers can buy several days’ worth of frozen meals as a package. This offers the convenience and choice desired by consumers, whilst still making a bulk buy saving. Whilst rising costs continue to hit families hard, this is a prime opportunity for frozen and chilled food companies to expand their ranges. Consumers want the cost and convenience without compromising on quality, and improving ready meal options should be top priority for manufacturers. Developing high quality meat and fish alternatives, as well as environmentally friendly packaging will help future-proof customer loyalty. How self-stacking freezers from JBT can achieve huge savings Food processors across Europe are facing cost pressures arguably as never before and making savings is now essential to the survival of many businesses. Investing in a JBT Frigoscandia GYRoCOMPACT® self- stacking spiral freezer is one of the quickest ways of making significant savings in energy, water and manpower while at the same time becoming more efficient. Customer data indicates that a self-stacking spiral freezer can save up to 60% in energy compared with traditional drum freezers. JBT Frigoscandia’s GYRoCOMPACT self-stacking spiral freezer comes with some significant advantages. As Jan Grundmann, Sales Manager at JBT, explains, the GYRoCOMPACT straight away delivers energy savings once installed, thanks to its effective, efficient design. “In a recent meeting with a customer who runs both systems, the customer’s data-records uncovered that their GYRoCOMPACT-freezers consume up to 60% less electrical power compared to their drum freezer at a comparable product-throughput,” he says. “This particular example equated to an annual saving potential of more than 300.000.” However, JBT self-stacking freezers don’t just make a difference when it comes to energy savings, they make a positive impact on other utilities – like water consumption – as well as factors as basic as manpower and time. Due to its minimal design, the GYRoCOMPACT has up to 12 tons less installed material compared to a traditional freezer system, meaning there is significantly less area to clean. In fact, a GYRoCOMPACT typically only requires about 20% of the manual cleaning resource that’s needed for a traditional system. The GYRoCOMPACT can be complemented by the LVS (Low Volume System), an add-on unit developed to improve evaporator efficiency, which is up to 20% more efficient than traditional pumped refrigerant systems. The LVS’s patented dry suction system delivers more capacity from the compressor and enhanced evaporator performance, all of which adds up to greater freezer performance. Are you interested in growing your business with JBT? Contact your local sales office on Email: barry.jackson@jbtc.com or Tel. 07860 314712 or fill out the form at https://go.jbtc.com/foodtech/plant-based-protein/contact-us © stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:06 Page 5www.fdiforum.net Plan your campaign with Food & Drink International… ...your competitors are! 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Contact us below for our 2023 editorial schedule Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL INTERN NATION AL ahe Sta d aying d i eals ng spotlight ahead a eadyRy mea ackPa kaaging s Micr obiolog testing gy INTERN NATION AL ma r Cha nging r ket angi s g y tr ryy and ma r kets m s Meat, poul p d ff ltt seaf fo ood v Sieev vees and separ raat ors spotlight separ raat ors e Softw waa re sp Sti INTERN bl NATION bus Sus bus Sus siness staina i ti s able bl business s End of f line packkaaging Int INTERN NATION AL g ro Hea h althy o wth alth chain edients g ro wth g unc F ct tional ingr reedients y upplS lyy chai spotlight Caps and cl spotlight osur Caps and cl rees MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net 45.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:13 Page 1SIAL China 18 - 20 May Shanghai, China SIAL China is made up of two events — SIAL Shanghai and SIAL Shenzhen, which will be held in the Shanghai New International Expo Center from May 18 to 20, 2023. With an exhibition area of 180,000 m2, it is expected to attract 4,500 exhibitors and more than 150,000 professionals from all over the world. In addition to areas meant for national and regional pavilions, this year SIAL Shanghai consists of 8 highlight sectors: Babyfood Village, Organic & Wellness Village, Dairy Sector, Non-alcoholic Beverage Sector, Food Sector, Meat, Poultry & Cured Meat Sector, Seafood Sector, Alcoholic Beverage Sector. Meanwhile, SIAL Shenzhen highlights 3 major sectors: Chinese Food & Beverage Village, International Food & Beverage Village, International Meat Village. Global Food Contact 2023 23 - 24 May Prague, Czech Republic Global Food Contact 2023 returns as an in-person conference on 23 & 24 May in Vitafoods Europe 9 - 11 May Geneva, Switzerland Experience the world’s nutraceutical event. Attracting over 15,000 industry experts from over 130 countries every year, Vitafoods Europe is the place to be for networking, collaboration and innovation. SIAL Canada 9 - 11 May Toronto, Canada SIAL Canada is not only the meeting point of the Canadian agri-food industry, but also the privileged gateway to the American and international markets. The show is the only event of its kind in Canada, bringing together more than 1,000 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries and welcoming more than 20,000 professional visitors from Canada, the United States and 60 other countries. SIAL Canada is the only national trade show to offer a complete range of food products under one roof. It meets the needs of the retail, food service and food processing industries. 46 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Events Food & Drink © stock.adobe.com/Alfazet Chronicles Manila Foods and Beverages Expo 14 - 18 June Manila, Philippines The Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX) is the Philippines’ biggest gathering of the iconic pillars and outstanding newcomers of the food trade. The topnotch trade affair turns a spotlight on the latest F&B innovation. Prague, Czech Republic, bringing together the entire food contact supply chain, as the only food contact forum that covers all the latest food contact regulations and legislations on a global scale and will provide a meeting place for everyone involved in the food contact supply chain. Global Food © stock.adobe.com/Joseph Oropel 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:14 Page 1Contact is the must-attend event for anyone involved within the food contact materials supply chain. Industry leaders and legislators from across the entire food contact supply chain gather to explore and exchange information regarding global food contact developments and initiatives and forecast the future industry landscape. THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 23 - 27 May Bangkok, Thailand As the industry undergoes a revolutionary change, THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 sets the stage for the dramatic shift. With an expected 60,000+ trade visitors and 2,700+ exhibitors from over 40 countries, and a line-up of F&B innovative highlights, industry expert talks, and chef competitions, there will be something here to unlock companies’ next growth Interpack 4 - 10 May Düsseldorf, Germany When the global packaging industry meets in Düsseldorf, when innovations along the entire value chain are presented and the top trends are discussed, then you know it’s Interpack. The focus is on packaging materials, packaging machines and related process technology for the food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. Interpack is a global trendsetter for the future themes of the industry. From sustainability to digitalisation: what will be reality tomorrow is presented here today. This is what makes Interpack simply unique. Food & Drink International 47 www.fdiforum.net milestones and penetrate untapped Asia markets. Africa’s Big 7 18 - 20 June Johannesburg, South Africa Africa’s Big 7 allows you to connect directly with buyers from across the African continent. Buyers attend to source products, develop new partnerships, and conclude export and import deals. It is a must-attend event for all professionals involved in the food and beverage industry. Sustainable Foods Summit Europe 2023 15 - 16 June Amsterdam, Netherlands Since 2009, the Sustainable Foods Summit has been covering major sustainability developments in the food industry. How are sustainability schemes and eco-labels evolving in the food industry? With growing proliferation in labels, what are the prospects for a single sustainability standard for food products? What is the future outlook for plant- based foods? What developments are occurring in sustainable ingredients? How can food & beverage firms move towards circularity? How can operators close their material loops? Such questions are regularly addressed at this international series of summits. © stock.adobe.com/HollyHarry 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:14 Page 2FEATURES Temperature Control Spotlight Sustainable Packaging Flow Measurement & Control Processing, Control & Automation Health, Safety & Hygiene Snack Foods & Ready Meals Import & Export EVENT PREVIEWS Automation UK Machine Vision Conference Next month in June 2023 - Deadline 17th May INTERNATIONAL Visit us at www.fdiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues? 48.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2023 12:15 Page 1Classified You can feature your company in our hugely popular Online Directory with a description, contact details and a hyperlink If you would like further information please contact Vicky Hunt on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fdiforum.net/directory From field to fork, Food & Drink International is the voice of the industry. 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