Frozen foods: in 2023 household consumption exceeds 600 thousand tonnes

The first data recorded in Italy   – even though relating only to household consumption – show that in 2023 the frozen food sector confirmed its resilience, demonstrating that household consumption has held broadly steady, reaching 645 thousand tonnes. An encouraging figure (pending the final numbers, which will also include out-of-home consumption), especially when compared with 2019, the year before the pandemic began, when frozen food consumption stood at 589 thousand tonnes.

In the following years, consumption of frozen products grew at an unprecedented rate before stabilising at high levels: a large proportion of Italians incorporated them into their regular diet or increased their consumption.

This is the snapshot captured by Iias – the Italian Institute for Frozen Foods, and announced ahead of Frozen Food Day (celebrated next 6 March).

In percentage terms, Retail data 2023 in fact show a volume growth in the frozen food sector of 9,4% compared with household consumption in 2019. A figure that highlights the sector’s positive momentum, in the face of a series of major challenges which, over the last three years, have affected not only the food sector but the entire Italian and global economy: from Covid to the energy crisis, from the surge in raw material prices to the deterioration of international relations.

An overall positive figure which, when assessed against 2022, shows only a slight volume decline in retail, amounting to -1,2%, confirming a resilience in the market that cannot be taken for granted. This once again demonstrates how frozen products have become excellent “allies” for Italian consumers on every occasion, and this is expected to be easily offset by plausible growth in frozen food consumption outside the home.

Vegetables remain in first place among the most popular product categories: with 215.695 tonnes consumed in 2023 (compared with 213.345 in 2019), they grew by 1,1%, proving to be a valuable ally for those concerned with wellbeing and high nutritional content, as well as for those increasingly inclined to choose plant-based proteins.

Next, with 110.532 tonnes, come potatoes, which recorded the most significant growth in numerical terms: with a +35,8% compared with 2019 (when consumption had reached 81.393 tonnes). A product loved as much for its taste as for its ease of preparation.

In third place are frozen fish products (plain and breaded), which reached 92.372 tonnes, an increase of 2,25% compared with the 90.335 tonnes recorded in 2019. Frozen fish products have won consumers over because they are safe, healthy, nutritious, always available, easy to prepare and transparent, thanks to the comprehensive information on the packaging.

The boom in frozen ready meals should also be highlighted, with a growth trend of 34,3% between 2019 and 2023.

Frozen pizzas deserve separate consideration: after double-digit increases in 2020/2021, the sector underwent a stabilisation in 2022/2023, essentially due to the recovery in out-of-home consumption. It should be noted that in recent years this category has continued along its path of innovation: the range has become increasingly varied, with the introduction of new formats and ingredients, the use of wholemeal or kamut flours, and gluten-free versions, also meeting the needs of consumers with specific intolerances.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.