The company accredits this sales growth to the increasing popularity of popcorn as an in-home sharing snack, as an on-the-go filling food and its perception of being a healthier snack. Out of the home, pubs, bars and restaurants are offering popcorn as a lighter bar snack, either in a flavoured format or simply sweet or salted.
Importantly, the retail market has seen an emergence of premium end, flavoured popcorn brands in unusual sweet and savoury flavours such as coconut, cinnamon and gingerbread through to exotic varieties including macchiato and whisky, blue cheese and walnut, curry, and cheesecake.
Tasneem Backhouse, sales director at EHL Ingredients, says: “Popcorn is a huge success story in the UK. In pubs and bars, it’s a great alternative to crisps, can be served as part of a snack sharing platter and is quick and easy for chefs to prepare. In the home, instead of going out for expensive cinema trips, many Brits are opting to stay in and hold film nights and popcorn is a key part of that experience. In addition, reports show that there are many health benefits associated with popcorn; it is high in antioxidants, high in fibre and low in calories and many diets endorse popcorn as a guilt-free snack.
“Speciality popcorn brands have appeared on supermarket shelves too and many retailers have launched their own varieties to capitalise on the trend. Many innovative flavours are available, from sour cream and onion to wasabi, and toffee apple. It’s an exciting time for popcorn products and it looks set to continue into 2013. Our sales have seen a steady increase and we are expecting popcorn sales to grow further during the year. This is positive news for us and for the sector as a whole as it shows there is a definite consumer interest in popcorn and Popcorn Day (January 19) will certainly help to boost awareness of the tasty treat and increase demand among consumers.”
EHL Ingredients supplies dried popcorn kernels ready for popping in bulk 25kg bags or can be ordered in smaller quantities if required and packed down to 1kg bags. It is available to pubs and bars, snack manufacturers and wholesalers.
