For several years now, packaging formats have tended to become smaller in developed countries, as social changes have brought smaller families and new consumption habits and opportunities. These trends are now fuelling a growing demand for single-use portions – but what are the main drivers behind it?
The younger generations of consumers are keener to experiment in the kitchen, so they are looking for special ingredients to make unusual recipes – but they are reluctant to re-use them (according to 58% of interviewees aged 18–34 in the UK), hence the desire for single-use packs. This impulse to try new things is also prompting demand for multi-packs containing an array of condiments in single portions to keep freshening things up in the kitchen.
In parallel with that, recipe kits with all the ingredients to make a given dish are growing in popularity, a trend powered by the home-shopping boom, which is increasing the demand for ingredients in portions for composite packs [kit packs / combo packs].
And finally, people want products to be versatile, portable and amenable to different occasions. For example, 18% of US consumers buying sweet or savoury spreads want a wider range of products to take with them and eat conveniently even when on the go.
The single-portion and single-use market, then, is certainly one of the most significant trends of the moment and is surely set to grow. Which is why Menz&Gasser – Europe’s leading producer of single-portion jams – has invested and will continue to invest in offering our customers the widest range of primary and secondary packaging options for both sweet and savoury products.
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(Sources: Opportunities for single packs in food, Mintel Group Ltd, November 2017)
