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CONVENIENCE

Challenges of the food industry

In the modern era, the search for convenient food solutions has become a compelling need for consumers. From hectic schedules to increasing health consciousness, convenience has positioned itself as a key factor in purchasing decisions, where speed and ease are primarily sought after.

Many consumers do not have much time in their daily lives and this prevents them from dedicating enough time to plan their meals, which in the end leads them to opt for less healthy options. However, the search for solutions to achieve a healthier, more convenient and quality diet is placing some high-tech tools, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, in the focus of many consumers who are thinking about automating their shopping, planning their meals or even cooking in an easier way.

Why do consumers choose convenience options?

Saving time and effort

Convenience solutions offer a quick and easy way to meet food needs without the need to spend time preparing and cooking food. When time is a scarce resource, opting for convenience solutions allows you to minimize time spent on cooking and maximize time for other activities.

Flexibility and adaptability

The convenience category offers a wide range of options to suit the diverse dietary preferences, lifestyles and needs of each individual: whether someone prefers vegan, gluten-free, low-carb or is simply looking for a quick meal to go.

What are the most relevant formats in Spain?

Refrigerated

Refrigerated ready meals led sales in 2023 with 343,859 tons, equivalent to 46% of total consumption.

Among these options, potato-based products stand out, followed by vegetable alternatives, meat products, chicken products and rice products.

Frozen

As for frozen options, these reached 302,504 tons in sales, representing 41% of total consumption in 2023.

In this format, products such as pizza stand out, followed by fish, meat and bakery products.

Ambient Temperature

Room temperature ready meals achieved 96,015 tons in sales, or 13% of total consumption in 2023.

Among these foods, legumes stand out, despite the fact that pasta and rice-based products have a higher growth curve.

Source: Alimarket

Comfort can be sustainable

As health and sustainability concerns increase among consumers, time-poor people also want to address these issues. That's why ready meal manufacturers are focusing on offering more plant-based options, while trying to reduce the impact of their packaging on the environment.

*Source: Mintel GNPD, 2018 - 2023.

European consumers are increasingly recognizing the importance of environmentally friendly packaging and this is due to the growing climate crisis, which is becoming more and more evident. In fact, the proportion of ethical and environmental claims on ready meals has increased steadily over the last five years, with these claims being focused on packaging.

However, ready meal manufacturers rely heavily on plastic packaging to preserve the integrity and freshness of their products. In this context, brands have the opportunity to innovate by reducing the amount of materials used in packaging, eliminating non-recyclable elements or using biodegradable or compostable materials.

Affordability, dietary and environmental concerns are driving a gradual shift in Europe toward more flexitarian diets. What's more, 23% of UK consumers are interested in ready meals that replace some animal protein with protein-rich plant ingredients.

On the other hand, claims for vegan and animal-based prepared meals continue to increase, while vegetarian claims cease their decline and begin a modest growth. Faced with this situation, manufacturers are offering meatless versions of popular foods such as lasagna, beans and sausages. 

Thinking of developing a new product that stands out in the convenience market?

If you are looking for innovative solutions that meet the needs of a health-conscious consumer, don't hesitate to contact us!

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Convenience solutions for savoury

Naturis

Naturis is a processor of rice, pulses and cereals from around the world differentiated by making them more versatile and able to adapt to multiple applications, prioritizing sustainability and health.
It also stands out for collaborating with its customers to find real food solutions, to improve their production processes and to create new innovative products and applications.

Alpina

Alpina is the oldest French confectioner committed to responsible food, known for offering pasta and cereal products with a unique taste and texture.
The importance of its business also lies in a highly sustainability-oriented model, providing convenient, rich and authentic pleasure through self-imposed standards that guarantee the quality of its solutions.

Dr. Suwelack Bakery

Dr. Suwelack Bakery offers excellent natural ingredients for the manufacture of bakery products, which are divided into the product lines Sugrano®, naturally fermented sourdoughs; and Florentina, natural and sweet bakery products. In addition, they also help their customers to innovate and provide useful business ideas to develop new products of great relevance in the market.

Ingredients and solutions Trades


The Ready-To-Do range comprises a wide range of variety of rice, cereals and legumes for quick preparation. We highlight white rice, peeled red lentils and green pea grits, all of which are examples of quick cooking.
They are ideal for the production of ready meals and provide energy savings for the manufacturer.


Alpina has a range of precooked pastas that do not require any type of cooking. They are instant meals that can be prepared in the microwave in less than 5 minutes, or rehydrated in boiling water, which takes 2 to 4 minutes and makes them very convenient options. They have a texture identical to traditional cooked pasta, but some options also feature low moisture so they can be mixed with hygroscopic ingredients.


The Sugrano® range presents different fermented ingredients that provide flavor and texture to bakery and confectionery products.
This range is composed of different lines of ingredients, such as the Classic line, composed of dehydrated ingredients, and the Concentrates line, which is made up of different concentrated ingredients.

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After 50 years working in the food industry, at Trades, we use our experience to help our customers develop innovative products, meeting the needs of an increasingly health-conscious consumer.

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