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The UK market for Italian foods has been boosted by a general rise in consumer spending on food and by a growing interest in healthy eating. Italian foods are particularly popular among AB households. Dry pasta represents the largest sector of the Italian foods market, but the market for olive oil has expanded considerably, doubling in value between 1993 and 1998. The market for Italian foods is set to expand by 15% in real terms in the period to 2003.

The Chinese food retail market in the UK is forecast to reach a value of 295 million pounds sterling by the end of 1999. Chinese food is the most popular in the UK after British food, but the Chinese market is worth considerably less than the Indian. There are an estimated 3,000 Chinese restaurants and 9,000 takeaways in the UK, with the total value of the Chinese restaurant and takeaway market estimated at 1,135 million pounds sterling in 1999. The Chinese food market is forecast to expand by just over a third within the period to 2003.

The UK sandwich industry expanded by 45% between 1992 and 1997 at current prices, according to Mintel. Sandwiches account for 41% of the fast-food market, with demand rising as more and more people seek easy, portable food. The largest selling brand of sandwiches is Marks & Spencer, with other leading players including Sainsbury, Boots and Tesco. The sandwich industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and many small sandwich businesses are being forced to diversify in order to retain and increase their market share.

The British market for chilled ready meals has been growing vigorously since its launch in the mid-1980s. The sector experienced a 65% increase in sales from 1993 to 1997 and achieved a market value of 570 million pounds sterling in 1997. The factors behind this impressive growth are the strong consumer demand for convenience and variety as well as such social factors, such as the rising number of working women and single person households. The market is dominated by international recipes, particularly Italian, Indian and Oriental cuisine. The biggest players in the industry are Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Some food manufacturers are developing new Afro-Caribbean products as sales of many other ethnic foods have stabilised. The UK market for Chinese foods has not increased during 1998, in contrast with a 25% increase between 1995-97. Annual sales of noodles are valued at over 10 million pounds sterling. The overall value of the UK Oriental and Indian food market was around 181.9 million pounds sterling for 1997-98. Birds Eye Walls's sells 24% of all frozen ethnic foods. Chilled and ambient foods are the most popular, with many consumers are purchasing own label ethnic food products., Tex-Mex, Caribbean and Far Eastern cuisines are joining the ranks as ethnic foods tighten their grip on an increasingly adventurous public The ethnic food industry has at least three reasons [...]

The study on the impact of ISO standards on the UK meat industry indicates that ISO validation has the potential to become a customary business practice in the industry. Moreover, it has been established that food processors, wholesalers, and retailers are urging suppliers to register under ISO. This shows that ISO certification is an integral criterion for suppliers to retain their market share, and even to boost it as retailers only want to deal with accredited suppliers.

In 1995, the UK market for chilled desserts, yoghurt and ice cream was valued at 1,856 million pounds sterling, of which ice cream accounted for 54.6% or 1,013 million pounds. The market has grown 31.5% in value and 2.5% in volume over the last five years, with a further 18.3% growth in value forecast by the year 2000 (at constant prices). An overview of key trends is included, along with details of market sectors, product sectors, company profiles and market share, advertising, sources of supply, distribution, prices and forecasts for the future.

In 1995, the market for children's food was valued at 1.1 billion pounds sterling. The market includes frozen pizza, beefburgers, fish fingers, and fresh and frozen bite-sized poultry products; along with baked beans, tinned pasta, and frozen chips and potato products. A market overview is given, including details of size and trends; market segments; supply structure; advertising; distribution; consumer profiles and forecasts for the future.

* The sector gets back into growth * Premium, low sugar route works ... * ... but squeezability didn't * Jar updates keep heritage factor * EDLP damages standard lines [...]

The British market for prepared salads is examined in detail. The goal of offering a fresh product which can also be stored may appear contradictory, but can be achieved.

The UK market for savoury snacks is valued at over 600 million pounds sterling, with hot pies the most popular item. Manufacturers are constantly introducing new products to keep the consumers interest, such as Lenders Foods Crunch-4-Lunch made as a low calorie alternative to the sandwich. Some manufacturers are introducing new products to appeal to children who are seen as a large potential market. Sales of sandwiches are worth 2.66 million pounds sterling and account for 41% share of all fast food sold in the UK. Most sandwiches are purchased from workplace outlets., Packed lifestyles mean sandwiches packed with new fillings and flavours says Liam McLoughlin Snacking means speed. No longer idle nibbling, it has followed the American way to become essential refuelling [...]

Sales of chilled home ready meals have been increasing by around 9% annually. Many industry experts anticipate the market will continue to grow. Marks and Spencer PLC is a major outlet for chilled home ready meals but it is facing increasing competition from the new ranges produced by the supermarket chains. The UK market for chilled home ready meals is valued at 340 million pounds sterling. Chilled home ready meals appeal particularly to people who work long hours or those without children who may have extra money to spend on more expensive foods., Multiples hungry for growth have spotted the potential of chilled home ready meals. How worried should restaurants be? In the UK, we work the longest hours in Europe, with increasing [...]

The IDG Food Project intends to undertake research projects into consumer behaviour and consumption, in the UK. The Food Project is supported by several major UK food manufacturers, producers and retailers. It was started in May 1997, in order to improve the UK food industry and to increase domestic consumption of UK products. The industry has been divided into five sections which will each undertake their own research and have their own aims. It is anticipated the whole industry will benefit from the closer ties and relationships made within the groups., * The Food Project aims to revolutionise industry relationship and transform British food retailing, no less. Andrew Pring assesses progress to date Something exciting is happening in the food industry [...]

The ethnic food industry in the UK is experiencing rapid growth, with a value of 467 million pounds sterling. Chinese food products are the most popular particularly stir fry sauces and meal accompaniments. The market for ready made Chinese dishes only accounted for 14% of the market for 1996 in contrast to Indian ready meals which had a 65% of sales in 1996. Ethnic food products manufactured by Sharwoods take 32% share of the market. New ethnic foods products from countries such as Mexico, Malaysia and the Caribbean are increasing in popularity., Chilli con carne and chicken korma are about as familiar fish and chips on the UK dinner table these days. By the time these ethnic dishes have found their way [...]

Representatives of the UK agricultural industry and food retailers are trying to forge an agreement to ensure that consistency in food production is maintained. Some observers suggest that problems in agriculture, such as the BSE crisis, have resulted in both farmers and retailers being more aware of food safety and has led them to working together to achieve the higher standards. The farmers accuse the supermarkets of being too demanding whilst retailers suggest that UK farmers do not understand the food market., Are multiples and farmers finally joining hands after years of attempts to commercially integrate agriculture with retailing? Are the old antagonisms being healed? Mick Whitworth and Geoff Simpson report Something [...]

Themed events can be used to boost profits in UK eating places. They involve careful preparation and should be geared to the requirments of regular customers. Italian evenings could include wine, music and olives as well as pizza and Italian beer. Specialist suppliers, travel agents and delicatessens can provide advice, as can embassies. Themed display packs are available from a decoration supplier, Peeks, and there are cpmpanies that can organize themed events at the premium end of the market.

Chilled food in the 1990s During the past five years there has been tremendous growth in the chilled food market with a wide variety of products available to the consumer [...]

By Tom Allen-Stevens PRIME Minister Tony Blair has given the go-ahead for a new Food Chain Centre - a collaborative venture between farmers, processors and retailers. The venture was one […]

THE policy commission has given its backing to the local food movement by calling for pump-priming money to help develop the market. The report said producers should build on the […]

NATURAL GROUP Organza, organic soft drinks composed of juice and spring water from an ancient Welsh farm, are now procurable from the Natural Group. Available in Apple & Lemon and [...]

Resistance to GM foods in Britain is weakening according to an NOP national survey. The study found that the percentage of the population that believes GM food is unsafe has [...]

Dehumidification equipment from moisture control experts Munters is saving meat processor Anglo Dutch Meats more than [pound]8000 per year by reducing condensation in their freeze store. Ice build-up around the [...]

We have been informed that at least forty new distribution jobs are to be created after Cheshire-based Boughley Distribution won a contract to distribute Princes Food products. The company will [...]

GMS have recently opened their new prepared produce facility. The high care factory has been built at the company's main production site at Pershore, Worcestershire, and signals a further investment [...]

We have been informed that Findus Foodservices have set up their new headquarters in Croyden, in a move to establish a commercial presence in the UK. Findus Foodservices UK comes [...]

Tesco Store's rapidly expanding home delivery fleet has been joined by another batch of 280 Mercedes Sprinter 3.5 tonners, all equipped with Thermo King's multi-temperature V-200 refrigeration system supplied by [...]

There has been an awful lot of talk about how there came to be such a devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK agri-food sector. I can [...]

The manufacturing sector has declined in importance The manufacturing sector currently accounts for around 21% of GDP. As in many other developed western European countries, its share has been declining, [...]

The government has been urged to set up a Better Shops task force to tackle the exodus of shoppers from the corner shop to the hypermarket. The call comes in [...]

Sugro is planning to develop a more consumer friendly image for the retailers who trade under its fascia. Philip Jenkins, md of the wholesale group, said it would spend a [...]

The Food Commission, a consumer group campaigning for healthier food, has called for tighter limits on the amount of sugar allowed in baby foods. The Commission says some biscuits designed [...]

* His approach may not always win friends, but his ability to command respect makes Gordon Summerfield a fine ambassador for UK food. Belinda Gannaway met the new FFB chairman [...]

Over 70% of UK consumers are now purchasing organic food, according to 'Organic Food and Drink,' a new report from Mintel. Sales of organic foods are expected to grow by [...]

It is reported that Linden Foods, are to undertake a [pounds]5m., expansion at their plants in Newtonards and Dungannon. New cold storage and a new hi-tech packaging facility will be [...]

Formalised on the 6th January 1999, G.Costa were bought under the control of their UK management for [pounds]12m. The deal comprised all aspects of the G. Costa Group -- Blue [...]

Voyager Foods, tel:0191 521 3323, have successfully completed a [pounds]0.5m plus factory improvement scheme to enable them to deliver more precisely controlled, high quality poultry products to the manufacturing, sandwich, [...]

Since acquiring Fribo, Plusfood's UK Ltd, tel:0189 266 7155, have made considerable investments, both in extending the plant's production capability and in new technology. Approximately [pounds]1.5m. has been invested in [...]

A major new initiative aimed at helping Britain's most prolific food producing region has been launched. Yorkshire and Humber are ranked fifth in terms of European competitiveness and the region [...]

'A new fresh concept' is how Bernard Matthews, tel:0160 378 2611, describes their latest range - Flavours of the World. These are four chilled ready-meals based on up-and-coming flavour concepts. [...]

The Scottish Food and Drink Federation has just been formally launched in Edinburgh to coincide with the first full session of the Scottish Parliament. It aims to promote the common [...]

A report has confirmed that the exposure of consumers to radioactivity through British food remains well below UK and international recommended limits. The report, Radioactivity in Food and the Environment [...]

Former Sainsbury director Tom Vyner, Unigate's Gordon Summerfield and NFU president Ben Gill have been elected to the council of Food from Britain. Ann Robinson, director general of the British [...]

May will see the first in a rolling series of events organised by producers across the country to promote seasonal foods. The New Season for British Food campaign will mark [...]