Market Trends of North America Pasta And Noodles Industry
Rising Consumption of Convenience Food in the Region
Convenience foods are growing in popularity in North America due to social and economic changes, rising expenditures on food and beverages, increased awareness of healthy foods, changes in meal patterns and existing food habits, and the desire to try new products. Growth in the number of working women, usage of household technologies, and rising consumer income are boosting the convenience food retail market. For instance, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States, women's labor force participation in 2022 was 56.8% compared to 56.2% in 2021. As convenience foods are easy and quick to prepare, their demand is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, thus boosting the demand for noodles and pasta.
Players in the pasta industry are regularly introducing new products to meet the needs of consumers. For instance, in September 2021, Summer Fresh, Canada's leading manufacturer of prepared salads and dips, launched one of its ultra-healthy, ready-to-eat pasta and noodle bowls, called Sun Fresh Heat'N Eat Bowls, inspired by "Street Foods." According to the company's claim, these pasta and noodle bowls are made from simple, clean ingredients and can be ready in three minutes. The new product line also provides consumers with convenience and versatility without compromising on flavor or quality. Through such new launches, companies aim to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Such developments and trends are expected to boost the North American pasta and noodles market in the coming years.
The United States Held the Largest Market Share
The United States is the largest market in North America, and it is experiencing steady growth due to the increasing consumption of convenience and ready-to-eat foods. This trend results from the increasingly busy lifestyle and rising average annual household food expenditure in the country. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian and Asian cuisines were widely popularized by mass migrations to the United States. As of 2021, 13.6% of residents in the United States were foreign-born, according to the US Census Bureau. Asian immigrants introduced various types of noodles to the United States, making them popular in the country, along with Italian street food, such as pasta and pizza. Instant noodles are one of the most popular snacks that are gaining traction in the United States, and their market revenue is expected to increase during the forecast period.
There is significant demand for pasta and noodles as they are easy to prepare and take very little time to cook. The market is largely driven by several multi-cuisine restaurants and local restaurants in the country specializing in a wide range of cuisines. A further advantage of pasta and noodles is that they have a long shelf life, resulting in a surge in demand in the market. Health and wellness pasta has also gained popularity in recent years due to its high fiber and carbohydrate content and gluten-free properties. For instance, in July 2023, Pasta Rumo expanded its product portfolio by launching 11 classic and gluten-free pastas at the grocery chain, including its Shells and Mezzi Rigatoni, across the United States. All such factors are expected to drive the US pasta and noodles market in the coming years.
