The market for frozen products in Germany has once again recorded rising sales figures in 2018, benefiting from current consumer trends. According to a forecast by the German Frozen Food Institute e.V. (dti), sales of frozen products will grow by 0.5 percent in 2018. The annual per capita consumption of frozen products in Germany could thus rise from 46.3 kilograms (2017) to 46.5 kilograms (2018).
According to dti calculations, sales of frozen foods could rise from 3,730,185 tonnes in 2017 to 3,748,836 tonnes in 2018. These figures include the sales volumes of deep-frozen products in food retailers, home services and the out-of-home market. According to these forecasts, sales of frozen products in Germany will increase by 2 percent to EUR 14.6 billion in 2018 (EUR 14.3 billion in 2017).
The dti also monitors the development of trends in the frozen foods sector. By far the most important driver of the frozen foods market is the desire for simple, satisfying food solutions which taste good and are high-quality. As a result, more and more high-quality frozen products are coming onto the market. Good quality raw materials are increasingly appreciated and expected by consumers.
The dti trend survey shows that regionality continues to be one of the strongest drivers of the frozen foods sector. In combination with the increasing demand for organic products, consumers are expressing their desire for natural, eco-friendly local products. Manufacturers are addressing these issues by choosing appropriate raw materials, e.g. for potato and vegetable products.
Healthy dietary trends such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free have also gained in importance compared to 2017. Vegetarian frozen ingredients and dishes are particularly popular with young consumers. The variety of products in the frozen foods sector continues to increase in order to meet the increasingly diverse demand for niche products.
With regards to the further development of frozen products ranges, the strongest driver for customers in the retail and catering sectors is the sustainability of frozen products, according to dti members in 2018. This includes issues such as climate neutrality, but also recyclable packaging and the use of animal welfare labels. This suggests that further exciting innovations can be expected in the freezer section in the coming months.
