Here's a European fruit update from Dirafrost, Herk-de-Stad Belgium:
Cropwise, we witnessed a striking contrast between the good strawberry crop in Morocco in spring (20% more volume versus 2011) versus the disastrous raspberry crop in Serbia (40% less than in 2011).
Marketwise, on a European level we are facing a continuous concentration of the foodservice groups across Europe. Another continuous trend is the increase of private labels, certainly in these times of austerity. Euromonitor reports that private label will surpass 25% of Western European retail value in 2012. On a global level, the frozen food market is showing a clear contrast between the optimistic emerging markets and the more skeptical established markets: whereas frozen packaged foods and ice-cream continue to grow in China, Thailand and India, the Western European market is suffering slight declines: frozen desserts were up seven percent in 2011 but will be down 2.8% in 2012.
Ice-cream was up 9.5 % in 2011 but will be down 1,5% in 2012. One exception: it might be a small bit of the frozen food segment, but frozen yoghurt is standing out with continuous growth (seven percent) -- figures from Euromonitor.
Consumerwise, some paradoxes become clear, as published in a survey by Puratos about consumer attitudes and choices related to bakery, patisserie, pastry and chocolate: todays consumer wants the best of both worlds: indulgence and health, authentic and local flavors yet in a convenient form.
