Market Trends of Europe Dehydrated Food Industry
Rising Demand for Freeze-dried Food
The ease of the technique in processing heat-sensitive food products, like fruits and vegetables, that provide consumers with a prolonged shelf life without hampering the original properties is the major driving factor for the European freeze-dried food market. Moreover, consumers are attracted to these products, as the foods prepared using freeze-dried technology are easy to store, convenient to handle, and have a short preparation time. The market is primarily driven by rising expenditure on food and beverage, introducing products with longer shelf lives, increasing impulse purchasing, and growing demand for convenience foods that can be prepared quickly due to a shortage of available time. For instance, according to Statistics Denmark, in 2021, the average household consumption expenditure on frozen seafood in Denmark was USD 11.84.
Owing to fast-paced lifestyles and the need for a quick meal among adults, there has been a growing demand for healthy and convenient food that can be consumed instantly. Frozen foods are considered to provide that benefit as most of them can be cooked within less time for consumption. Similarly, consumers' rising interest and participation in outdoor sports, owing to the awareness about health and wellness and increasing interest in expedition activities and adventure play a significant role in driving the sales of freeze-dried food. These factors have been propelling the market growth.
United Kingdom to Drive the Regional Market
In the United Kingdom, the changes in traditional meal patterns drive the demand for convenience and on-the-go foods and snacks. This has fueled market growth in the country. Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products account for the major share of the European market. The demand for spray-dried ingredients sourced from fruits, vegetables, and dairy-based products, like avocadoes, berries, mangoes, apples, milk, etc., is high in the United Kingdom, as they form an essential part of the preparation of local cuisines and staple food, such as bakery products like cakes and pastries.
In addition, freeze-dried foods, however, are expensive, and consumers are opting for these products, as they are worth the price in terms of shelf life, nutrition content, product varieties, and weight. According to the Chilled Food Association, in 2021, about USD 204.53 was spent by consumers on chilled vegetarian products in the United Kingdom. International brands operating in the United Kingdom, such as Camilk, Arla, and Nestle, also offer innovative products, gradually gaining traction in the country. For instance, in March 2021, Sausage brand Richmond and freeze-dried ingredients specialist European Freeze Dry launched plant-based mince and meatballs. These are available in two sizes, 335g, and 352g, respectively. With this launch, European Freeze Dry expanded its vegan freeze-dried meal in Europe. As products preserved through freeze-drying retain their flavor and nutrient content, consumers more often purchase freeze-dried foods over other instant foods, thereby enabling market growth.
